2025 Shortlist Interview: Tim Wigmore

Tim Wigmore’s Test Cricket has been shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2025.

What is your book about?

“It’s a narrative history of 148 years of Test cricket, which explores the politics, culture and the tactics of Test cricket and how it’s evolved over time. The starting point was that this was a book I wanted to read that I didn’t think was out there at the moment.  There have been a lot of histories of Test cricket from a more statistical point of view, but there wasn’t really a global narrative history explaining how these 12 different countries with very different histories of cricket play the game and how it has evolved.

“It was a huge amount of work. I read over 300 books, talked to over 40 players, some of which being the absolute legends of the game, and it’s all come together in this narrative history.

“The idea is you can read it as someone who knows a lot about cricket, but also, it’s designed to be accessible. If you don’t know a lot about cricket, you can also read it and get a sense of why people are so into Test cricket.”

How does it feel to be shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award?

“It’s a great feeling. I’ve written a few bits before but never got on a longlist, let alone a shortlist. I’m really thrilled, especially as the book took me five years really from inception to coming out. It feels amazing given the hard work that went into it.

“As an avid sports reader, the William Hill Sports Book of the Year is certainly something that I always look at to get a sense of which books I should be reading. As an author, it’s something that you dream of. The award has got amazing prestige and history.”

What would it mean to win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award?

“It’s one of those things you can’t really think about. Looking at the amazing books that have won in the past, being in that company would be overwhelming. It would be very surreal. Even to be on the shortlist is a massive thrill.”

About the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is the longest established and most valuable literary sports-writing prize in the world. First awarded in 1989, it aims to reward excellence in sports writing and provide recognition to authors who bring the world of sport to life through their work.

This year’s winner will be crowned at a central London ceremony on Tuesday, 25th November, where they will also claim a £30,000 prize and the coveted William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award trophy. Shortlisted authors will receive a leather-bound copy of their book along with £3,000 each.

The 2025 judging panel will be chaired by Alyson Rudd, with Clarke Carlisle, Elis James, Gabby Logan, Mark Lawson, Dame Heather Rabbatts and Michelle Walder making up the rest of the panel.