Two white-coated codgers bent over some sticks in north London yesterday morning. One cleared his throat and, in ritual tone of relief and contentment refound, undramatically announced, ‘Play!’ Considering everything, all was well with the world, and the 2006 first-class cricket season was officially under way at Lord’s — MCC v. Nottinghamshire; today begin six more three-sweater jobs when the gates are opened to the summer at the antique shrines of Hove and Chelmsford, Headingley and the Oval, Fenners and the Parks. Custom unstale, as ever, first toasts to the new season had been drunk in central London on Tuesday 11 April at the convivial black-tie dinner to launch the 143rd edition of the game’s illustriously perennial mustardy almanack.
Weighing in at precisely 1,600 pages, Wisden may be nearing unpickupability; for sure, there is an unputdownability about editor Matthew Engel’s latest annual, which makes 2006’s doorstop the most compelling (and collectable) must-have for many years.
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