Wisden Cricketers of the Year Wisden Cricketers of the Year The "Wisden" Cricketers of the Year are cricketers selected for the honour by the annual publication "Wisden Cricketers' Almanack", based primarily on their "influence on the previous English season". The award began in 1889 with the naming of "Six Great Bowlers of the Year", and continued with the naming of "Nine Great Batsmen of the Year" in 1890 and "Five Great Wicket-Keepers" in 1891. Since 1897, with a few notable exceptions, the annual award has recognised five players of the year. No players were named in 1916 or 1917, as the First World War prevented
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack impressions. In more recent years sales of the 2006 edition exceeded 50,000 in total. The size of the print run was based on the publisher's belief that England's successful Ashes campaign the previous summer would attract considerable public interest. Although unsupported by any reliable documentation, it is almost certain that print runs were reduced during the First World War. The 1916 edition, also containing as it does the obituary of W G Grace, is the most expensive 20th century "Wisden". The smallest recent print runs are believed to be for the years 1969 to 1971. Collecting "Wisden"s is a popular