10 Things to know about John Wisden

Google’s Doodle on Wisden’s 187th birthday

8. Although business-minded, Wisden was a very benevolent man:

His numerous business ventures aside, John Wisden was known to be a very helpful and benevolent man. He took care of the financial difficulties that his fellow cricketers were going through. As part of his efforts, he established a fund to help the needy.

He, along with Parr made the decision that each Whitsuntide will play each other, with their matches being the highlight of each season, the proceeds of which will go to the fund.

9. Wisden Almanack:

His publication, the Wisden Almanack, has come out every year since 1864. Wisden created the “Bible of Cricket”, the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, the ultimate reference book of cricket which, barring a few exceptions, has been published every year since 1864.

The little yellow colored books are small, yet thick. The modern editions run up to 1500 pages. An Indian edition of the Almanack was also started in 2012. The longevity of the publication is highlighted from the fact that it continued to be released in the war years, even when their headquarters were taken down by a German bomber.

10. His 187th Birthday was captured by a Google Doodle:

Wisden has left his mark on the cricketing world by creating the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, one of the most famous reference books in sports. He was widely considered to be the best all-rounder of his era.

In lieu of his achievements and contributions to cricket, Google marked Wisden’s 187th birth anniversary with a doodle. It used the famous yellow image that is represented on the Almanack’s cover, along with its own rendition of the woodcut of two cricketers that highlight the cover.