I may be a bit late to the party, but my collection of Wisden Almanacks is now up to three. I’ve only missed 148 editions…

I’ve been a cricket fan for a long time, but it was only be chance that I bought my first Wisden just before Christmas. When I worked for Waterstones, colleagues had bought editions for themselves or as presents, yet I was not tempted. I think a combination of the price and the size from the outside was what put me off; I just didn’t think it would be worth it. Only when I saw the 2013 edition for £17 on an Amazon lightning deal did I bite, you can’t go wrong for that price considering it’s significance as the 150th edition. Even then, it sat gathering dust until this weekend when I felt compelled to have a read after seeing reviews/previews of the new edition online and in print.

Even though I probably read less than 1/4 of the pages properly, I was hooked. Over a few days, I had read every article that I wanted to, particularly enjoying the ‘Cricket Round the World’ section, some of which I had previously read in the brilliant Elk Stopped Play edited by Charlie Connelly . Finding out about Cricket in China, Germany and New Caledonia, however basic or expat dominated is fascinating.

The stats and records are a huge part of the appeal, but reading an edition from a year ago seemed a bit too close to be interested in due to having forgotten details of the series and domestic campaigns, but too far away to seem relevant with the new edition released. It wasn’t a vintage season for Somerset either, though re-capping the victorious England tour of India did bring back good memories of listening to it on TMS. Barring some cursory glances and checking the bowling figures of a former school friend who plays for Cornwall, I moved towards the associates nations.

I felt the need to buy the new edition almost immediately but held back. Instead I settled for ordering the 2006 edition ‘like new’ (we’ll see when it arrives…) off of Amazon. The 2006 edition of course covers that brilliant Ashes series, the last cricket that I personally feel gripped the nation; what with it being available for everyone to watch on Channel 4 and being so compelling. I look forward more to reading through the stats and scorecards from this edition than the 2013 due to it being more distant, and because years of playing International Cricket Captain, from the first to the 2005 instalment before they changed to the 3D match engine, bringing player names with particular resonance and memories back to life (and memories of going 30 odd years without finishing less than second in the County Championship with Somerset, and then there were only a few seasons we didn’t win it…).

Anyway, today on a visit to Barnstaple I took a look in Waterstones. I didn’t think they’d actually have the new edition on the shelf, but they did. Although a little more expensive than Amazon, it seemed far too tempting to turn down; so I left with an lighter wallet but a much heavier bag! I’m really glad I did, as I have spent the rest of the afternoon sat in the sun reading it, whilst checking the Somerset score periodically. The only way it could be better would be to be at the County Ground itself, but unfortunately it’s a bit pricey to justify the 160 mile round trip by myself. I’m sure i’ll attend a few times later on in the season, though I really would love to live in the same town/city as any County Ground.

In the meantime, i’ll be scouring the internet, used-book shops and even the odd car boot sale to build up my collection. I’m not particularly fussed about having facsimilies etc., just having a copy of all the editions from my life time or from when I really started following cricket would be great. It should be do-able, though finding room on my shelves will be the greater problem. I know now though, that the little yellow book is a compulsory purchase for the discerning cricket fan; the articles, the stats, the photos and the sheer breadth of coverage are well worth the price tag.