The Pinnacle of Cricketing Excellence: Wisden’s Leading Players
The 163rd edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack has been announced, bringing with it the prestige of the sport’s most venerable institution. In a year defined by powerhouse performances and historic triumphs, Mitchell Starc and Deepti Sharma have been named the Leading Men’s and Women’s Cricketers in the World, respectively.
Mitchell Starc, 36, has solidified his status as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the modern era. After a stellar 2025, Starc dominated the Test arena, claiming 55 wickets at a staggering average of 17.32 across 11 Tests. His year was highlighted by a career-best 6 for 9 against the West Indies, and he continued his brilliance into the 2025-26 Ashes series, where he spearheaded Australia’s attack with 31 wickets at 19.93, ensuring a series victory for the hosts.
On the women’s side, Deepti Sharma, 28, takes the center stage as the Leading Women’s Player. Her recognition comes after her pivotal role in India’s historic first 50-over World Cup victory on home soil in November. Sharma was the player of the tournament, delivering an all-round masterclass. She contributed 215 runs at 30.71 and took 22 wickets at 20.40 throughout the campaign. In the final against South Africa in Navi Mumbai, she was indispensable, scoring a rapid 58 and claiming a match-sealing 5 for 39.
India’s Dominance in the Almanack
The 2025 edition of Wisden reflects a prolific year for Indian cricket. Beyond Deepti Sharma, several men’s cricketers from India have been extensively recognized. Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Siraj have all been named among Wisden’s prestigious Five Cricketers of the Year. This honor follows their exceptional exploits in a thrilling 2-2 drawn Test series against England last year.
Captain Shubman Gill has further distinguished himself by winning the Wisden Trophy for the year’s outstanding individual performance, following his match-winning 430 runs in the second Test at Edgbaston. Additionally, Abhishek Sharma has been crowned the Leading T20 Player in the world, recognizing his explosive batting style, having passed 1,000 T20 runs in the calendar year with a strike rate of over two runs per ball.
England’s Mixed Fortunes and Domestic Struggles
The only Englishman to receive one of the major awards is former opener Haseeb Hameed. He joins the list of Five Cricketers of the Year after a dominant season in the County Championship, where he captained Nottinghamshire to victory while scoring 1,258 runs at an average of 66.00, including four centuries and two double-hundreds.
However, the tone of the Almanack takes a sharper turn when discussing the England men’s team. Editor Lawrence Booth reflects on England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, describing the collapse as a “privilege so carelessly squandered.” Booth criticizes the management, including coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, for becoming “predictable… dogmatic… and deaf to reason.” He argues that England’s aggressive approach, which initially brought excitement, has now run out of ideas.
Booth emphasizes that for England to revive their Test fortunes, they must restore their links with the county game. He highlights the importance of domestic cricket as the only “finishing school” for their international players, arguing that the structure is vital for the sense that the game is actually working.
Societal Issues and Tributes
The Almanack also delves into deeper systemic issues within the English game. James Coyne examines the prevalence of privately educated players in the UK, noting that the sport is still heavily dominated by those with access to time, money, and facilities. Coyne warns that until cricket becomes a truly national sport accessible to state-school students, England will struggle to maintain long-term success.
Finally, the year’s edition pays a heartfelt tribute to the legendary former umpire Dickie Bird, who passed away in September at age 92. Derek Pringle recalls Bird’s “sundry eccentricities and a ready smile,” noting that while his personality-driven style of umpiring would likely not be tolerated by the modern ICC‘s preference for efficiency over personality, he remained a national treasure whose fairness and commanding presence were unforgettable.
