The Cricket Annual was a compact cricket annual published in 1961 and 1962 and edited by Roy Webber. In 1962 the Playfair titles including Playfair Cricket Annual were acquired by Dickens Press which had just published The Cricket Annual[1]. In November 1962 Webber died suddenly and the decision was made to combine the two annuals so that in 1963, Dickens published a new style Playfair Cricket Annual, using the same name but basing the size, format and price on The Cricket Annual.
The Cricket Annual was one in a long line of publications starting in 1895, with many different titles but with a continuity of format and style. They are pocket book size (approx 9.8 x 13.6cm) but pre-1928 inaccurately trimmed and size varies (1906 is 8.9 x 13cm). Pre-1915 books usually contained 96 pages (1908 = 80). From 1904-1914 they were edited by Alfed Gibson (Rover)and then for one year in 1921 by 'Mentor'. From 1922 until 1939 the editor was Frank Thorogood, in 1946 Percy Rudd, and then Crawford White until 1957 when he was joined by Roy Webber. Good quality copies prior to 1921 are rare and the 1895-1899 Star and Leader Cricket Manuals very difficult to find in any condition. The early annuals (pre-1914) sold for one penny (1d). When they reappeared after the First World War the price was 4d (1923 2d) and then in 1929 reduced to 3d until 1939. Post-1946, as the number of pages grew, the cost rose in increments from 6d to one shilling and six pence (1/6) by 1957.
Titles[2]
| Year | Editor | Cricketer on Front Cover | Price | Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Roy Webber | Richie Benaud | 2s | 192 |
| 1962 | Roy Webber | Ted Dexter | 2s 6d | 192 |