Wisden Cricket Monthly issue 87 – Why Harry Brook had to be England captain

Released on May 8, a spruced up magazine with a variety of new features also includes Daniel Gallan’s deep dive into South Africa’s journey to the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, speaking to the key figures who have sparked their revival.

BUY ISSUE 87

We have an exclusive interview with Charlotte Edwards, who tells us she’s more passionate about the game than ever after being named England women’s head coach, news from all 18 counties including conversations with Test hopefuls Ben McKinney and Josh Tongue, Ben Gardner on the players’ revolt which threatens the existing power structures, and Jo Harman-McGowan on Zimbabwe’s long-awaited return to England ahead of this month’s Test match at Trent Bridge.

Elsewhere, Rob Smyth profiles the greatest Sri Lankan cricketer you've probably never heard of, Jason Gillespie tells us about the documentary which changed his life, Sam Robson describes his journey from bowling leg-spin in Sydney to opening the batting for England, and Cameron Ponsonby speaks to three cricketers who exist on the edges of the county game.

As for our columnists, Lawrence Booth argues it’s more important than ever that the game’s administrators are held to account, Andrew Miller reacts to James Anderson’s impending knighthood, Mark Ramprakash says Tom Banton’s triple-century was proof of the all-round benefits of playing red-ball cricket, and guest diarist John Simpson documents Sussex’s first month back in the top tier.

You can buy the magazine in stores across the UK (click here to find your nearest stockist) or purchase a subscription here.

Wisden Cricket Monthly is also available in digital form. You can purchase single issues or sign up for a subscription here.

10 standout quotes from the new issue:

"Brook’s charisma comes through in earthy form, excavated from the Yorkshire dales and the tightly bound community from where he hails, and from the way that he bats, when on the good days it looks like the greatest experience in the world."
Phil Walker on the impact Harry Brook can have as England captain

"With his 188-Test, 704-wicket CV, Anderson is, on the face of it, hugely worthy of such recognition. And yet, he’s an anomaly by almost any previous measure of cricketing knighthoods."
Andrew Miller unpicks the "arbitrary and arcane" British honours system

"I wanted to chuck a grenade and see who would show some balls. I didn’t want to tip-toe around the subject. We’d choked before. There’s no point denying that. Were we going to do it again?"
Shukri Conrad recalls a dressing-room speech during South Africa's journey to the World Test Championship final

"I told him that I thought he’d made a mistake. I looked around the room and I thought, ‘Shit, I don’t think this was the right time for that speech’."
Temba Bavuma tells Daniel Gallan he wasn't sure it was such a good idea

"Tom Banton’s triple century showed not only how much he has developed as a player but also sent a really clear message to young players that mastering red-ball cricket is a challenge which should be relished and enjoyed."
Mark Ramprakash on the heartening evolution of the Somerset right-hander

"We’ve got to sharpen up. The players that know me will know that I’ve got incredibly high standards, but equally I like having fun and they’ll have a lot of fun along the way, but we’ve got to work hard."
Charlotte Edwards on her appointment as head coach of England Women

"My technique may not look as good as someone who is 5ft 9in, but that’s natural. It’s not going to look exactly normal being 6ft 7in! The quicker I put that out of my mind, the easier it is."
Durham opener Ben McKinney speaks to Sam Dalling about embracing his point of difference

"Cricket is bursting at the seams, without any sense of leadership, almost by design. The ICC is not a governing body in the truest sense. It is a members’ organisation, and therefore looks out for its members, rather than the game as a whole. It’s into that breach that a challenger may soon step."
Ben Gardner on an emerging power struggle which could redefine the game

"The country itself is such a shambles. I’ve got a friend who still lives in Harare. He’s been trying to run a furniture business and he says he gets three hours of electricity per day. How can you run a business like that? If your country is in that much turmoil, I’m actually surprised Zimbabwe even still has a cricket team."
Ex-Zimbabwe opener Mark Vermeulen speaks to Jo Harman-McGowan about his country's struggles

"Cricket, through collective inertia, had sanctioned the unopposed appointment of Jay Shah, the son of India’s second-most powerful politician, and in so doing had underscored their economic might with administrative supremacy."
Lawrence Booth says the game's dominant forces must be held to account

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