Wisden Cricket Monthly issue 91 – Can Ben Stokes Become England's Greatest Captain?

With the highest win-percentage of any England men’s Test skipper since the 1930s, Stokes has made an indelible mark on his team. But, should England suffer another Ashes defeat this winter, “his legacy will always be qualified by the point that he couldn’t get it done when it mattered most”, writes Walker.

Elsewhere, Aadya Sharma kicks off our Women’s World Cup preview by examining how far the game has come since India last hosted the 50-over event a dozen years ago and the possible impact of the latest edition, before Jo Harman-McGowan speaks to England opener Tammy Beaumont about her journey from also-ran to ODI great, and profiles the eight competing teams.

We’ve also got stacks of coverage on the English domestic game, including Ben Gardner’s in-depth study of what The Hundred could look like from 2026, Sam Dalling’s analysis of the Blast, news from all 18 first-class counties and columnist Lawrence Booth on the full-to-bursting calendar.

We have an exclusive interview with commentator Mel Jones, who tells us about the covert operation to get Afghanistan’s female cricketers to safety, a candid interview with recently retired Gloucestershire opener Chris Dent about his complicated relationship with the game, Nathan Sowter talks us through his triumphant month in ’The Diary’, Andrew Miller laments the death of the blocker, and the excellent Rob Bagchi makes his WCM debut by profiling an Indian lost treasure who understood the value of entertainment.

Finally, we have a special two-part feature on the grassroots game looking at the ECB’s plans to open 40 cricket domes across the UK and the work being done by the charity Chance to Shine to make the sport accessible to all.

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10 standout quotes from the new issue:

"Those airy early days, when Rob Key cheerfully said that it’s never about winning and losing but about a way of playing and a mentality of enjoyment, they are gone, finished. That clever confidence trick has served its purpose. It’s all about the result now. The result."
Phil Walker on the acid test for Ben Stokes' captaincy: the Ashes

"I have a confession: I’m a middle-aged man and I enjoy The Hundred. I love the short window and the routine of a double-header each day. I actually also enjoy the brevity of the 100 balls per innings. Two games in an afternoon/evening is very doable and represents outstanding value for money."
John Stern on being a Hundred convert

"Adam Zampa’s had us doing this thing at the Melbourne Renegades. They call it Drip Day. Basically, everyone turns up to the game wearing something good or something shit. Tawanda Muyeye likes to think he’s one of the best dressed and, to be fair, he is cool. But Jason Behrendorff… I don’t know what he came as!"
Oval Invincibles leg-spinner Nathan Sowter gives the inside track on a triumphant

"Before we were professional we used to have a dinner once a year with the England men’s team and sponsors, and an England cricketer from a while back once said, ‘Why do you bother when you don’t get paid for it?’ I just couldn’t believe it. Even now, I’d play for free. If I could financially afford it, I’d do it. For me the motivation is nothing to do with money."
Tammy Beaumont speaks to Jo Harman-McGowan ahead of the World Cup

"We had connections to these SAS military guys who’d stayed behind in Afghanistan, and it was basically like, “Now. Tonight’s the night for this family. You’ve got to go now…”
Mel Jones on a rescue mission for Afghanistan's female cricketers

"We need a reset in certain things, so that it's even and so that people can build according to what their likings are, rather than continuing on with what's already there."
Sanjay Govil, the new owner of Welsh Fire, tells Ben Gardner The Hundred should become a T20 competition

"It’s time the women got their due. Finally, women's cricket is on a par with men's cricket in terms of the prize money. But for the players, winning a World Cup would be the big thing. It's a pinnacle event."
Mithali Raj, former India captain, reflects on how far the women's game has come

"If you ask Mike Atherton or Nasser Hussain, have I ever or we ever told them to say or not say anything… no. We had some criticism that all we did was talk about how amazing The Hundred was, but that wasn't a directive. It really wasn't."
Bryan Henderson, Sky’s director of cricket, on the broadcaster's Blast coverage

I’ve just always felt different to those people who play for England. They’re so hungry to get there. They want to be in the public eye. And I just never felt like that. I never felt that disappointed because I didn’t think the way I am would be suited to that level of cricket
Chris Dent on not receiving England recognition

We can’t un-concrete a playing field, but what we can do is put a dome on that concrete to finally have facilities that don’t exist in state schools
Richard Thompson, ECB chair, on the plans to open 40 cricket domes across the UK

You can pre-order the new edition of Wisden Cricket Monthly, digital or print version, here.