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
Bob Willis - an assessment
England await another courageous man of speed, 1985
Chappell, Lillee and Marsh
Performers of miraculous cricketing deeds, 1985
Forty years on
Cricket's post-war resumption, 1985
How Headley's genius paved the way
The first great black West Indian batsman, 1985
The equipment revolution
New bats mean new batting styles, 1985
Series included
England in Fiji, New Zealand and Pakistan, 1983-84
England in Fiji, New Zealand and Pakistan, 1983-84
The Australians in the West Indies, 1983-84
The New Zealanders in Sri Lanka, 1983-84
The Pakistanis in Australia, 1983-84
The Pakistanis in India, 1983-84
The Sri Lankans in England, 1984
The West Indians in England, 1984
The West Indians in India, 1983-84