Jasprit Bumrah: Wisden's Leading Men's Cricketer in the World

Jasprit Bumrah's stellar performance in 2024 has earned him the title of Wisden's Leading Men's Cricketer in the World. He became the first Test bowler in history to claim 200 wickets at an average of less than 20, showcasing his dominance in the format. Bumrah's remarkable tally of 71 Test wickets at an average below 15, including 32 wickets at 13.06 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, highlights his pivotal role in India's success. His contributions were instrumental in India's triumph at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

Smriti Mandhana: Wisden's Leading Women's Cricketer in the World

Smriti Mandhana's exceptional form across formats in 2024 has been recognized with the title of Wisden's Leading Women's Cricketer in the World. She amassed 1,659 runs, the highest by any woman in a calendar year, including four ODI centuries—a new record. Mandhana's consistent performances were crucial in leading India to a ten-wicket victory over South Africa, where she scored a commanding 149 in June.?

Nicholas Pooran: Leading T20 Cricketer in the World

West Indies' Nicholas Pooran has been named Wisden's Leading T20 Cricketer in the World for his explosive performances in the shortest format. His aggressive batting style and consistent run-scoring have made him a standout player in T20 cricket.?

Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year

Wisden's prestigious Five Cricketers of the Year award, which a player can win only once, has been bestowed upon:?

  • Gus Atkinson: England's breakout star, noted for his impressive debut at Lord's against the West Indies and a hat-trick against New Zealand in Wellington.?

  • Jamie Smith: Recognized for his impactful performances in his debut Test summer.?

  • Dan Worrall: Central to Surrey's County Championship success, taking 52 wickets at an average of just 16.?

  • Liam Dawson: Hampshire's all-rounder, who claimed 54 wickets and scored 956 runs at nearly 60.?

  • Sophie Ecclestone: England Women's left-arm spinner, who became the country's leading T20I wicket-taker and maintained an economy rate of under three runs per over.?

Mitchell Santner: Wisden Trophy for Outstanding Performance

New Zealand's Mitchell Santner received the Wisden Trophy for his match-winning 13-wicket haul against India in Pune, leading to India's first home series defeat since 2012.?

Critique of Cricket Governance

Wisden editor Lawrence Booth has criticized the global governance of cricket, particularly highlighting Jay Shah's transition from BCCI Secretary to ICC Chair amid ongoing disputes over the Champions Trophy venue. Booth described 2024 as the year cricket "gave up any claim to being properly administered," calling for a more equitable and transparent governance structure.

World Test Championship Under Scrutiny

Booth also labeled the current World Test Championship format as a "shambles masquerading as a showpiece," advocating for a restructured competition where the top nine teams play each other in home and away series over a four-year cycle.

Tributes and Farewells

The Almanack pays tribute to James Anderson, who retired from Test cricket in July after taking an England record 704 wickets. It also honors the memories of Derek Underwood and Graham Thorpe, with heartfelt pieces reflecting on their contributions to the game and, in Thorpe's case, raising awareness about mental health issues in sports.