1985

This was the first edition to be published under John Wisden & Co.'s own imprint, rather than that of Queen Anne Press, which had overseen the previous five Almanacks. As the West Indian fast bowlers ripped through teams all round the world, the editor said their bodyline tactics brought a "chilling" dimension to the game. He added that it had become a genuine concern that the batsmen had become as much a target as the stumps. This was displayed by the photograph - of Pat Pocock evading a Michael Holding bouncer at The Oval - entitled the "unacceptable face of Test cricket". Elsewhere, there is an article looking back at the 40 years of the game since the end of the Second World War, in which "change has been dramatic and controversial".
Editor John Woodcock
Pages 1280
Price £9.95

Almanack essays

Notes by the Editor

The four-day lobby and more, 1985