1988

As the 1987 edition did not include the Laws for space reasons, Graeme Wright did not dare leave them out again after a year which was "threatened by malevolence and near-anarchy". Wright added that "sport was not meant to be a war substitute, and cricket must not find itself being forced into that role". Deliberately slow over-rates, blatant dissent on the field, biased umpiring and a lack of leadership in the game, especially in England, all came under his fire. However, to provide some order and sanity, the straight-talking Geoffrey Boycott and the cunning Derek Underwood were both featured. As was Graeme Pollock, who retired after playing only 23 Tests, and who to most was sadly "little more than a name".
Editor Graeme Wright
Pages 1296
Price £14.50

Almanack essays

Notes by the Editor

A wet summer but no sticky dogs and more, 1988