On-pitch violence is real danger to cricket, warns Wisden

This follows the confrontation between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds that almost led to the cancellation of India's tour of Australia.

The almanack's new editor, Scyld Berry, writes in this year's edition: 'I fear the day is approaching when a high-profile, televised cricket match will see an outbreak of physical violence on the field.

'The amount of money coming into the game seems unending, but growth would be halted and reversed if cricketers were seen to be fighting.'

What is it about Wisden that makes the cricketing world sit up and take notice?

What is it that gives the almanack a unique place as the sporting book of record whose word is law?

Whatever it is, that frisson of anticipation is clearly evident in its 145th year.

Berry's passion shows in the all-important editor's notes and the introductions he has made, like the brilliantly simple idea to ask four journeymen county cricketers for their accounts of last season.

The result, through the eyes of Richard Montgomerie (Sussex), Luke Sutton (Lancs), Gareth Batty (Worcs) and Andy Harris (Notts), is one of the most compelling reads in the yellow book's 1,680 pages.

The dual thrust of the message in Berry's notes is a warning against the threat of physical contact on the field and incompetent leadership off it, yet it is delivered with the light touch that has always made him required reading in his long career of Sunday newspaper writing.

I have always thought the 'Five Cricketers of the Year' awards a tad over-rated, simply because the rule to stop any player being named twice can eliminate many of the year's outstanding performers.

Yet there can be no argument with Berry's choice of Ian Bell, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ottis Gibson, Zaheer Khan and Ryan Sidebottom.