Wisden Cricket Monthly

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DISPATCHES FROM THE FRONT

EDITOR’S LIST

WISDEN CRICKET MONTHLY

THE Top Six The month in cricket No.1

Rafiq ructions spell the end of the Vaughan supremacy • Michael Vaughan’s self-styled shock-jock persona may have boosted his profile but it’s meant that sympathy has been in short supply for the former England skipper in the wake of Azeem Rafiq’s allegations, writes Andrew Miller

Captain Morgan poses England an awkward dilemma • Following England’s semi-final exit in the T20 World Cup, Lawrence Booth considers Eoin Morgan’s position as captain, questioning if the run-shy 35-year-old is still worth his place in the side

Cummins the perfect fit for Australia’s embattled board • After Tim Paine’s grubby demise, the appointment of the universally popular Pat Cummins has helped Cricket Australia paper over the cracks, writes Adam Collins

AB departs with destiny unfulfilled • The news that the great AB de Villiers has retired from all forms of the game marks the end of one of the most explosive, thrilling – yet ultimately unfulfilled – cricket careers of all time, writes Neil Manthorp

Quick Singles • The month’s news in brief

The world according to… Kate Cross • After a year in which she finished as England’s leading ODI wicket-taker, the in-form seamer discusses her hit BBC podcast, her close bond with co-host Alex Hartley, and relishing the “Liam Plunkett role”

NEWS CYCLE • What channel is the cricket on, asks Ben Gardner

Greg Chappell • In conversation with John Stern, the former Australia skipper and selector sets the record straight on Sandpapergate, shares his reservations about fast-bowling captains and says he’d rather spend time with David Warner than some of the more “squeaky clean” figures in the game

Finding the fairway

A New Direction • After a nomadic summer in which he represented three counties, Sam Northeast sprung a surprise by signing a long-term deal with Glamorgan. He speaks to Jo Harman about making a fresh start in Cardiff and the mixed blessing of being dubbed one of the best batters in the county game not to have played for England

In other news...

CRICKIPEDIA • The alternative compendium of cricket

RE:VIEW • Three writers pick their favourite performance of the year from the Test game

Mailbox • In association with Botham Wines, letter of the month receives a bottle of Botham 81 Series Barossa Valley Shiraz – an extra special wine presented in a hand-embossed wooden case which commemorates Sir Ian’s Ashes heroics of 40 years ago An alternative prize will be provided if the winner is aged under 18, or if requested

DAWID MALAN Enjoying the silence • Dawid Malan has taken the quieter back roads to get to this point in his career. He tells Phil Walker how he learned to block out the clamour and just trust himself to play

Nowhere to turn • James Wallace looks back at the painful recent history of English spinners in Australia, and considers whether this tour will be any different for the lesser-spotted jack Leach

CRICKET’S WATERSHED • November 2021 will go down as one of the most significant months in the history of English cricket. Forced to confront its own reflection, the game will never look the same again, writes Phil Walker

LORD PATEL IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

THE ECB’S 12-POINT PLAN

‘THE HEARINGS WERE EXTRAORDINARY, BRUTAL AND I FEEL ASHAMED OF THE GAME WE ALL LOVE’ • Rafiq’s testimony brought an avalanche of letters to our inbox. Here are some extracts from a select few

AZEEM RAFIQ THE ACCIDENTAL...