Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 1980

Author: Edited by Norman Preston
Price: £70
Publisher: Queen Anne Press
Edition: 1st edition thus
Publication Date: 1980
Format: Original cloth. Dustwrapper
Condition: Fine in fine dustwrapper

Description:
Binding nice and tight. Pages nice and clean. A fine, tight, clean copy in very fine dustwrapper. Dustwrapper exceptionally bright and unfaded. Easily the best copy that we have ever seen and in truly excellent condition.

Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 1980: A Short Description

The Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 1980, the 117th edition of the revered annual, appeared at a critical moment in cricket’s modern history. Edited for the final time by Norman Preston, who had served as editor since 1952, this edition represented both a closing chapter and a clear-eyed reflection on a period of turbulence and transition within the game. Preston’s final volume was marked by his characteristic editorial balance—firm, judicious, and always rooted in a deep affection for the sport.

The 1980 edition offered a comprehensive account of the 1979 English season and international developments during a time when cricket was still reckoning with the aftershocks of World Series Cricket. That rebel competition, launched by Kerry Packer in 1977, had profoundly challenged the game’s structures, exposing weaknesses in administration and raising questions about the future of traditional formats. By 1979, some of these fissures had begun to heal, and Wisden played a crucial role in documenting the sport’s slow journey back to cohesion.

A significant focal point of the Almanack was the second Cricket World Cup, officially the Prudential Cup, held in England in the summer of 1979. This tournament confirmed the growing legitimacy of the one-day international format. West Indies, under the leadership of Clive Lloyd, retained their title with authority, defeating England in the final at Lord’s. The final was memorable not only for the West Indies’ dominance but also for the breathtaking innings played by Viv Richards, who anchored his team with characteristic flair and power. The performance of Collis King in that match added another dimension to the victory, showcasing the depth and aggression of the Caribbean side.

Domestically, the English summer was marked by the restoration of players previously involved in World Series Cricket. England’s national side was gradually reintegrating some of its most experienced cricketers, although tensions between administrators and players remained in the background. The Test series against India and the touring Australia side provided ample material for analysis, with the Almanack chronicling each match with clarity, accuracy, and a measured tone.

In keeping with tradition, Wisden 1980 named its Five Cricketers of the Year—always a much-anticipated feature. These individuals were selected based on their impact on the 1979 English season, with the profiles offering insightful, often quietly celebratory commentary on each player’s achievements and temperament. This section, like so much of Wisden, reflected not only results but also values: perseverance, sportsmanship, and sustained excellence.

County cricket was covered in exhaustive detail. Essex claimed the County Championship title for the first time in their history, a landmark achievement that was given full attention within the pages of the Almanack. Their success was attributed to a combination of disciplined bowling, effective leadership, and the consistency of key players—an embodiment of the kind of team ethic Wisden has always valued. The Gillette Cup and Benson & Hedges Cup were also chronicled, reflecting the increasing popularity and importance of limited-overs domestic cricket.

Beyond England, Wisden 1980 gave considered space to international cricket. Reports from Australia, India, the West Indies, and the subcontinent illustrated the growing globalisation of the game. Yet the Almanack remained resolutely British in tone, with a focus on the English season and its implications for the wider health of the sport.

Stylistically, the 1980 edition maintained the familiar Wisden format: a compact, dense volume rich in text and statistical tables, with no photographic imagery. Its conservative presentation belied its extraordinary depth. The volume offered obituaries, records, and fixtures with meticulous attention to accuracy—a vital resource for historians, journalists, and enthusiasts alike.

As Norman Preston signed off as editor, he left behind a body of work that had ensured the Almanack’s continuity and relevance during one of the most complex eras in cricket history. His final edition combined the rigour of a chronicler with the discernment of a seasoned observer, preserving Wisden’s authority at a time when the sport was undergoing fundamental change.

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