Wisden offers sobering critique of ailing English game

While arrival of a new Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack is an annual cause of celebration among the sport’s most ardent fans, the 2022 edition represents a sobering critique of an ailing English game.

The famous yellow book has never been afraid to hold up an unflattering mirror to its subject but, even by its own standards, the 159th edition represents a searing state of the nation address.

It is, perhaps, no surprise to find Wisden shaking its head at establishment rather than nodding its head in approval. In the 12 months since it last appeared, there has been much to bemoan and little to applaud.

From the fallout of Azeem Rafiq’s harrowing account of systemic racial discrimination to the dire form of the men’s flagship Test team and a spate of sackings and resignations from key positions, it has been a messy period to reflect on.

Joe Root’s picture adorns the cover, staring down the lens as he executes a glorious cover drive, and he is also acclaimed as the world’s leading cricketer in the awards pages, but the batting excellence that saw him touch new heights at the crease is a lesser part of the broader story.

England’s entire Ashes campaign, which ended in a 4-0 thrashing, is eviscerated in Lawrence Booth’s editor’s notes. A decade into the prestigious role, Booth savages the preparation and execution of a torrid trip Down Under, suggesting “no tactic as too ill-conceived, no plan too half-baked” and suggests the entire leadership structure is beset by “delusion”.

Contextualising the hammering among other similar setbacks, he adds: “In a crowded field, this was one of England’s most hapless tours”.

While blame is apportioned among those on the ground, including the sacked Chris Silverwood (“a good man but he was out of