In the new issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, out July 17, we reveal the 40 best young male cricketers in the world.
Canvassing opinion from writers across the world, we produced a long list of more than 60 names (aged 23 or under) which we eventually whittled down to a top 40. We’ve judged each player on their record so far and, most crucially, what they could become. Our 16-page rundown also includes an interview with New Zealand quick Will O’Rourke, who tells us that Test cricket is his No.1 priority. Stay tuned for more bright young things in our next issue when we’ll be revealing the most exciting emerging talent in the women’s game.
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Elsewhere in this month’s magazine, we’ve two top-tier interviews from Phil Walker: Ben Duckett reflects on his Headingley masterpiece and tells us how he’s become one of the world’s best by doing it entirely on his own terms; and the incomparable Ravi Shastri gives us the inside track on Shubman Gill and says, if anything, India deserve a bigger cut of the global game’s pie.
Following South Africa’s fairytale win in the World Test Championship final, Daniel Gallan unpicks what it could mean for the future of the much-maligned tournament and David Bedingham takes us behind the curtain of an unforgettable week at Lord's in ’The Diary’.
Jon Hotten has written a beautiful piece to mark the 80th birthday of his hero, the great Barry Richards, Samit Patel talks Jo Harman-McGowan through his record-breaking career, Rob Smyth tells the story of the leg-spinner who Sobers rates more highly than Warne, and Callum Flynn, England’s Mixed Disability skipper, remembers the diagnosis which changed his life.
We’ve also got news from all 18 counties in ‘The County Files’, including interviews with Saif Zaib and Kirstie Gordon, and our columnists are in fine form: Lawrence Booth hails the brilliance of Jamie Smith, Andrew Miller considers how Australia’s men are shaping up for the Ashes, and guest writer Dean Wilson pays tribute to the late Dave ‘Syd’ Lawrence, having co-written the former England fast bowler’s autobiography.
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:
"There is a clarity to Jaiswal’s game, a purity of purpose. It’s what makes him appear both young and as old as the Himalayas, all at once."
Phil Walker on Yashasvi Jaiswal, India's prolific young opener who features in our list of the 40 best young male cricketers in the world
“Test match cricket’s definitely my favourite format. It's just so, so tough to win games, and it's so rewarding when you do get it right and have a good day, your team has a good day and you're winning games. There's no better feeling than a Test win."
New Zealand quick Will O'Rourke on his red-ball priorities
"After I was dropped that first time, I’d be watching on TV and I’d say to myself, ‘I know I can bat, but I can’t do it the way that you’re supposed to do it’."
Ben Duckett on doing things his own way
"My wife accidentally took my passport with her to Durham where we live. I only realised when we were all getting ready to leave the hotel, so I ended up staying an extra night in London. I had a couple of quiet beers that night in a pub by myself."
David Bedingham on missing his flight after South Africa’s WTC triumph
"England have a game-plan – flawed and thrilling in equal measure – for which Australia don’t seem yet to have formulated a direct response. They were clinging on for dear life by the end of the 2023 series."
Andrew Miller looks ahead to the men's Ashes
"Most of the money generated in the game comes from India, so it’s only fair that they get their share of the pound of flesh. And it’s relative. It’s economies. Tomorrow there might be another economy that’s stronger."
Ravi Shastri on the game's distribution of wealth
"My fitness has not always shown how well I’ve played. Cricket is a skill-based sport. If you can’t get on the park you have an issue, but I was always getting out on the park."
Samit Patel on the defining moments of his career
"We both know and will never know how good Barry Richards was. As a cricketer he exists between those two states."
Jon Hotten marks the 80th birthday of the South African great
"I used to think about cricket every time I went home, but I don’t have time to think about the game now. Fatherhood is the priority."
Northants’ Saif Zaib on the red-hot form that has seen him make five Championship hundreds this summer
"We had to move quickly so he could tell his stories before his voice became too weak for anyone to hear, and although I didn’t vocalise this, I was desperate to make sure the book came out while he was still with us."
Dean Wilson on the experience of co-writing In Syd’s Voice: The Extraordinary Life of Dave Lawrence
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