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The launching of a new edition of the Wisden Cricketer's Almanack can be regarded as the start of an English season. The bright yellow cover appears just as regularly as do daffodils in the spring, and has done for what is now 139 editions.

The launch was an affair befitting such a distinguished volume. A black tie dinner in the historic surroundings of Armoury House – the headquarters of the Honourable Artillery Company in the City of London. The great and the good of the game were there (along with some who are neither – otherwise I would not have received an invitation!) with the assembled company entertained by a well crafted and impeccably delivered speech from The Honourable Raymond Seitz, former American Ambassador to the Court of St. James's.

Mr Seitz drew attention to differences and similarities of cricket and baseball – a theme set by the editor, Graeme Wright, in his opening address. He commented that, unlike baseball, cricket does not have a hall of fame, though inclusion as one of the five Wisden cricketers of the year is tantamount to receiving such an honour.

This year there has been a certain amount of disappointment expressed in the British press that no English players are amongst the chosen five – only the second time that has happened. The list for 2002 is made up of Zimbabwe's Andy Flower, V.V.S. Laxman of India and three Australians – Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie and Damien Martyn.

None of them were available to be at the dinner, but there were representatives of each decade since the war. Sir Alec Bedser was one of the chosen five in 1947, Doug Insole was honoured in 1956, Ted Dexter in 1961, Brian Taylor in 1972, Neil Foster from 1988 and Michael Atherton of 1991 vintage.

Among the articles, that make such good reading this year as ever, are tributes to Sir Donald Bradman, who died as the 2001 edition was going to press, acknowledgement of Yorkshire's success in the CricInfo Championship, an assessment of Michael Atherton, a comment on technological incursions into the umpire's demesne, and a lament for the county game.

The editor picks up several of these themes in his notes, drawing criticism from many for his notion that the days of county – and state and provincial – cricket have passed and that the future lies with city-based cricket. Bearing in mind that cricket had its roots nourished as a country pursuit, it seems somewhat incongruous that such a venerable publication as Wisden should be promoting such changes, but it is a publication that has often moved quicker than the game itself. If nothing else, it is an interesting talking point.

Apart from being immensely entertaining, the 2002 edition contains all the facts and figures of the game that can lead a simple inquiry into hours of pleasurable "dipping". At the time of writing, my copy has been in my possession for nearly 16 hours. It is already well thumbed.

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