In the new issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, out September 25, Phil Walker explores where Ben Stokes ranks in the pantheon of England’s greatest captains and how his persona taps into the era he bestrides.

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 by qualified by the point 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.