Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 1944

Archie Mac | 8:54am GMT 18 January 2026

Published: 1944
Pages: 343
Author: Preston, Hubert (Editor)
Publisher: Sporting Handbooks Ltd
Rating: 4 stars

The first Wisden with the now ubiquitous yellow cover was released in 1938 and ran to almost 1,000 pages, having approximately doubled from the 522 pages of the 1921 Almanack. By 1944, England had been involved in WWII for over four years. At the time, just about everything was in short supply and there was a ration book for most things, from food to petrol. It is hard to imagine when today you can print and scan from multiple electronic devices, that in 1944 the only way to produce publications was to utilise a printing press. As expected, paper and even ink was rationed, so printing for the war effort took priority.

The paper shortage and the lack of cricket in 1944 are the main reasons for only 343 pages, and an estimated print run of  7,000 (5,600 softback and 1,400 hardback). By 1946 the print run was at 16,000 (11,000 soft back and 5,000 hardback). It is noted the pages for 1944 actually reduced from 1943, although the print run was the same.   

1944 Wisden Highlights:

• In the publishers note, Haddon Whitaker indicated the reality was that Wisden was almost not published during the war years. He welcomed the new editor, and hinted he thought Hubert Preston would soon be commenting on a full season of English cricket. As it turned out the County Championship did not restart until 1946.

• In his preface/notes by the editor, new editor Hubert Preston bemoaned the fact ‘cricket records’ had to be omitted due to paper shortage. He also acknowledged the fixture list provided for the next season would be subject to amendment. Of interest, throughout the war overs in England were of eight balls.

• Obituaries – the two most famous cricketers to lose their lives in 1943 were the Yorkshireman Hedley Verity a casualty of the war, and the Australian fast bowler of the Golden Age Ernie ‘Jonah’ Jones. F.S. Jackson, an opponent of ‘Jonah’, provided some reminiscences of the fast bowlers he faced. In relation to Verity Don Bradman and the fine cricket writer R.C. Robertson-Glasgow paid tribute.

• Books – there was no section as such, however there were a few ads published for upcoming cricket books. A new book to be released was An Index to “Wisden” 1864 to 1943. Cost 21 shillings. Sir Plum Warner had ads for two books; Cricket Between The Wars @10s.6d & The Book of Cricket @8s.6d.

• Ads – Fred Root was endorsing Elliman Athletic Rub “Fred Root tells how he gets fit and keeps fit”. You could buy cricket balls from Wisden or Duke, and a cricket bat endorsed by Len Hutton. There was even an ad for Shanks Mowers, a company which is still running in 2026.

A quick perusal of the internet indicates you can purchase a 1944 Wisden hardback for $AU800 or £400, and a paperback for $AU360 or £180. Still not too prohibitive, although as all cricket book collectors know – condition is everything.