News

Booth and Chevallier to co-edit Wisden

Lawrence Booth, the SJA’s online columnist of 2009 for his Top Spin blog for Mail Online, is to become the youngest editor of Wisden since the second world war, it was announced today.

Booth, 35, will co-edit cricket’s most cherished annual with Hugh Chevallier, who has been promoted from deputy editor.

Booth and Chevallier succeed Scyld Berry, who is standing down after publication of the 148th Wisden in April.

Berry combined editing the almanack with working as the Sunday Telegraph‘s cricket correspondent, and Booth will continue working for the Mail.

“I’m thrilled and honoured to be given the chance to edit such a prestigious book,” said Booth.

“I began collecting Wisden when I was 15 and never imagined I’d one day be its editor. Scyld has done a terrific job, and it’s humbling to follow in the footsteps of a journalist I have such respect for. I can’t wait to get started.”

Wisden was first published in 1864, but Booth’s appointment is seen as an effort by the publishers to take the publication in to the digital age.

Matthew Engel, Berry’s predecessor as editor, said: “Scyld has been a terrific editor. He brought to the book an authority and knowledge of the game that perhaps only John Woodcock has ever matched. Lawrence has big shoes to fill but he is a great talent.

“Cricket is changing very fast, too fast for some of us. Wisden’s job is to reflect those changes without ever losing sight of its own values, and those that should be at the heart of cricket. I have great faith that the new team will continue to do that.”

Wisden weighs in on newspapers’ cricket coverage

For more book reviews and news from the sports publishing business, click here