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.

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.