The 134th edition of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack is edited by Matthew Engel. It reflects on Sri Lanka's surprise 1996 World Cup win, and the rise of Asia as a major power in the game, on and off the field. Wisden 1997 also features a manifesto by Lord MacLaurin on his appointment as chairman of the ECB, and a tribute by Tony Lewis to Dickie Bird on his retirement from international umpiring.