1997
The success of Sanath Jayasuriya in inspiring Sri Lanka to World Cup victory n March 1996 also inspired a change of policy: he was chosen as one of the Five Cricketers of the Year even though he did not play in the English season. The rest of the Five also came from overseas - Mushtaq Ahmed, Phil Simmons (for his part in lifting Leicestershire to a rare Championship title), Saeed Anwar and Sachin Tendulkar - reflecting a season in which England followed a disappointing World Cup with a narrow victory over India and defeat to Pakistan. There was also a tribute to the umpire Dickie Bird, who had retired, and an article saluting the rise of Shane Warne by another Australian Test spinner, Ashley Mallett.
Editor Matthew Engel
Pages 1440
Price £26.00
A night to remember
Celebrations heading off terrorism on the streets of Sri Lanka, 1997
A spin-doctor writes
Waiting for the next great finger-spinner, 1997
A wind blows from the east
Subcontinent riches can dictate the game's future, 1997
English cricket: a manifesto
The top level must be right, for the others to thrive, 1997
Fifty Sheffield Shield years
The very making of the Test team, 1997
If you can meet with triumph and disaster...
Press reactions to the 1996 World Cup
Sri Lanka: years of preparation
A World Cup win born in Ceylon, 1997
The man who stole the show
Dickie Bird: the most famous of all umpires, 1997
Wisden World Championship
Onus on ICC to make it official, 1997
Years of the fox
Leicestershire's unexpected Championship triumph, 1997
Series included
1996 World Cup
Benson and Hedges World Series, 1995-96
England in South Africa, 1995-96
Pepsi Cup, 1995-96
Singer Champions Trophy, 1995-96
Singer Cup, 1995-96
The Indians in England, 1996
The New Zealanders in India, 1995-96
The New Zealanders in the West Indies, 1995-96
The Pakistanis in Australia and New Zealand, 1995-96
The Pakistanis in Australia and New Zealand, 1995-96
The Pakistanis in England, 1996
The South Africans in Zimbabwe, 1995-96
The Sri Lankans in Australia, 1995-96
The Sri Lankans in Pakistan, 1995-96
The Sri Lankans in the West Indies, 1995-96
The Zimbabweans in New Zealand, 1995-96
© John Wisden & Co.
