Book excerpt: The Shorter Wisden is a compelling distillation of what's best in its bigger brother – and the 2017 edition of Wisden is crammed, as ever, with the best writing in the game. Available from all major eBook retailers, Wisden's digital version includes the influential Notes by the Editor, all the front-of-book articles, including Matthew Engel looking back at 60 years of Test Match Special, Derek Pringle revealing the secrets of ball-tampering, and Gideon Haigh exploring the evolution of the six. There are also superb pieces by Rob Smyth, Vic Marks and Tanya Aldred, plus reviews, obituaries and all England's Tests from the 2016 season. In an age of snap judgments, Wisden's authority and integrity are more important than ever. Yet again this year's edition is truly a “must-have” for every cricket fan. "There can't really be any doubt about the cricket book of the year, any year: it's obviously Wisden" Andrew Baker in the Daily Telegraph @WisdenAlmanack