Wisden Cricketers Almanac 2011 (148th Edition John Wisden and Co, £45)

A LORD’S Long Room dinner and debate heralds the launch of each year’s Wisden.

This year profanities were shouted and the Editor (Scyld Berry) announced he had been sacked.

The first fact is disturbing, but not the second. Berry, in his four years in charge, had never grasped the problems of English County Cricket. He consistently berated county chairmen for selfishness, greed and not supporting Team England.

The facts do not bear this out. County chairmen have agreed to four-day cricket, covered wickets, two divisions in the championship and central contracts, all at the request of the England management.

Central contracts give England total control over our star players who are now hardly seen in domestic cricket. Surely this is support for our national side.

The allegation of greed is ludicrous. Ivo Tennant’s article ‘Cricket Grounds’ in this year’s edition shows this. He refers to a seven-figure donation by one chairman to keep his county going. That is one of several. Rod Bransgrove (Hampshire) has spent £6,000,000 of his own cash developing the Rose Bowl. They do not expect thanks from Wisden, acknowledgment will do. Ill informed criticism will not.

Personal experience has shown me that the respected Almanac’s strong point is not accuracy - at least in the written word.

A leading figure in the English game threatened legal action against me after a gross inaccuracy in the 2009 edition. Ashley Giles and I are now good friends.

There is another gross inaccuracy about Gloucestershire in the current edition.

Public school cricket still receives plenty of attention, 34 pages in fact.

The amazingly successful Chance to Shine scheme, working so well in the Cotswolds, gets four lines.

There is no mention of the work done in inner cities by teachers who clear up the dog muck and the broken glass so their children can get a game.

Statistically splendid and containing a few gems such as the mini-obituary for Dick Letts of Oakley Hall. Wisden serves a purpose. I just wish it was more true to the game I know.

Young Wisden (Wisden £9.99)

THIS spirited offspring of the Wisden family is altogether different.

Bright, pertinent and relevant, it makes an ideal present for those many youngsters playing and learning the game, but red it yourself first.

Marvellously illustrated, it conveys the game’s past and present expertly.

More importantly it conveys the warmth and wonder of the greatest of games.