1938

After years of declining sales, professional help was sought: publication passed to J Whitaker & Sons, and major editorial changes were made. A new cover was designed, the old two-part division scrapped, and a complete index was provided. The familiar Wisden woodcut, by Eric Ravilious, graced the cover for the first time. For the first time illustrations - other than the ones accompanying the Five Cricketers of the Year - were included. Women's cricket received its first mention, with the Test between England and Australia receiving full coverage. A host of big names retired: Patsy Hendren, George Duckworth, Maurice Tate and Andrew Sandham all called time. A proposal was unveiled for a "pocket Wisden" at sixpence "to compete with the annuals produced by the News Chronicle and the Athletic News", but the plan fell by the wayside.
Editor Wilfrid H. Brookes
Pages 991
Price 5/- (soft) / 7/6 (cloth)

Almanack essays

Notes by the Editor

Eight-ball overs and more, 1938