The latest issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, out November 6, is an Ashes bonanza as we gear up for – in the words of Brendon McCullum – "the biggest series of all our lives".
Across more than 30 pages of dedicated Ashes coverage, Yas Rana heads up to Yorkshire to meet Joe Root, Mark Wood tells us his fast-bowling secrets, and Ben Gardner analyses whether England's pace attack can deliver a first series win down under since 2010/11.
Jo Harman-McGowan examines the relentless brilliance of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, we put the microscope on Australia's uncertain top six, Damien Fleming tells us what we can expect from each of the five pitches, and a selection of writers and broadcasters give us their series predictions.
We also revisit classic moments from past battles, as Geoff Lemon picks out the most notorious fast-bowling spells from Ashes series down under, Richard Whitehead remembers the brief but devastating impact of Frank 'Typhoon' Tyson, and Phil Walker takes us back to Ian Botham's last great howl of protest at the Gabba in 1986.
Elsewhere in the magazine, we cover a thrilling finale to the county season as Sam Dalling reports on a triumphant campaign for local rivals Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, Notts' title-winning coach Peter Moores explains his deep love for the county game, we pick our Championship XI of 2025, and Katya Witney reflects on a groundbreaking summer for the women's domestic game, focusing on the success of double-winners Lancashire.
As for our columnists, Andrew Miller reveals how Taylor Swift could have been the saviour of English cricket, Lawrence Booth says the hostility between India and Pakistan will have wider consequences for the global game, John Stern pays tribute to the late, great Dickie Bird, and guest diarist Sonny Baker reports from England's white-ball tour of New Zealand.
You can buy the magazine online, 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:
"I like the challenge of waking up and constantly feeling like you’ve got to get better and finding different ways in which to improve your game. It all fascinates me."
Joe Root speaks to Yas Rana about the secret to his longevity
"You have to be a touch fuller in Australia. Something that we spoke about a lot in 2010/11 was not allowing ourselves to be that in-between length, between the hip and the shoulder. That is where Australian players are completely comfortable."
Steven Finn, an Ashes winner in 2010/11, on what works in Australia
"Broth in the winter, ham and pease pudding sandwiches in the summer."
Mark Wood reveals his pace-bowling secrets and tells us he's on track for the first Test at Perth
"They are grounded individuals. My understanding from speaking to people in and around the Test side is that those three guys are pretty much the lowest maintenance players. They know what they need to do, and they’re essentially left to their own devices to crack on."
Jason Gillespie on Australia's big three: Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood
"There was the pantomime moustache and the tucked-up paws of his run to the crease, looking like a cartoon sneaking up on somebody. Then there was the fear he created in players and spectators alike when he got there. Five Tests for 37 wickets: it was carnage."
Geoff Lemon on the most notorious Ashes spells down in Australia
"The team that arrives in Australia is a wreck, and nothing in the pre-series practice games suggests otherwise. In one of them, a profoundly hungover Botham strides purposefully out to the middle without his bat. As a metaphor it’s hard to beat."
Phil Walker recalls Botham's last great howl of protest
"When I left the second time, yeah, I did feel hard done by. I remember feeling sorry for myself sitting at home, feeling pretty battered and bruised. I had a bottle of rioja on the go when I had my eureka moment. I said to myself, ‘What am I doing? The game doesn’t owe me anything."
Peter Moores, having become the first coach to win the County Championship with three different clubs, reflects on his time in charge of England
"It is with a tinge of jealousy that I present the killer question. Should Taylor Swift be a cricket fan? Damn right she should, and we let her slip clean through our fingers."
Andrew Miller explains how Taylor Swift could have been the saviour of English cricket
"If Modi continues to see cricket as an opportunity for political capital, the day may come when Indo–Pak sporting relations cease completely. And that will only hasten the game’s headlong rush into the embrace of the money-making franchise leagues."
Lawrence Booth on the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan
"Phil Salt just rocked up and posted one of the fastest ever times on the track. Later on, he showed us a picture of him as a 13-year-old go-kart champ! Absolute hustler."
Sonny Baker, this month's guest diarist, reports from England's tour of New Zealand
You can order the new edition of Wisden Cricket Monthly, digital or print version, here.
