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Introducing… Jo Harman, Magazine Editor at Wisden Cricket Monthly

As part of our ‘A Life In Cricket’ Campaign, we will be talking about the passionate and committed individuals who work in cricket. This week, we meet Wisden Cricket Monthly magazine editor Jo Harman, who tells us about his career to date and why he’d recommend a career in cricket to a young person.

Wisden Cricket Monthly are partnering with us on this campaign, and Jo will be taking part in the Street Child United mentorship programme ahead of the Street Child United World Cup – showing children and young people on the Surrey Cricket Foundation Street Child programme what he and his colleagues do at Wisden.

Watch Jo’s video below and keep scrolling to learn more about Jo and his career.

How did you originally get into cricket?

Through my dad and grandad, who both played a decent standard of cricket in New Zealand and passed on their love of the game to me. I grew up in Canterbury, just a few minutes’ walk from the St Lawrence Ground, and I would go to watch Kent’s Sunday League matches with my dad. Mark Ealham, Trevor Ward, Dean Headley and Carl Hooper were some of my early heroes. I got a chance to work at the ground as a steward while studying for my A-levels. Unfortunately it didn’t end well. I was told not to come back after falling asleep in the Frank Woolley Stand on a rainy afternoon. I don’t hold it against them, though. Kent are still my team.

What did you do before joining Wisden Cricket Monthly?

After Uni I did an MA in Journalism at London College of Communication and then worked at Sky Sports, covering a wide range of sports, while also doing regular work experience at All Out Cricket magazine. By then I knew I wanted to be a cricket journalist but jobs were hard to come by. I set up my own blog and got accreditation through All Out Cricket to cover England tours in India (2008) and South Africa (2009/10). I hung around at All Out Cricket long enough that they eventually decided to give me a job and I went on to become deputy editor of the magazine and editor of the website.

Why did you join Wisden Cricket Monthly?

In late 2017 the team behind All Out Cricket relaunched Wisden Cricket Monthly (which had previously run from 1979 to 2003) and I became the magazine’s editor. The Wisden name means a lot in cricket, and it opened up fresh opportunities for us. We’ve been able to attract the best writers in the game and speak to the most high-profile cricketers in the world.

What do you most enjoy about your role?

I enjoy the creativity of coming up with new ideas each month and working with our designer to produce a magazine which we’re genuinely proud of. I enjoy working with some of the best sportswriters in the world and formulating ideas for articles with them. I enjoy interviewing the best cricketers in the world. I enjoy the freedom and autonomy I have in my role. I enjoy being part of a team who are friends as well as colleagues. I enjoy the fact that our office looks down onto the pitch at The Kia Oval, the best cricket ground in London. And, most of all, I enjoy the opportunity to work in a game which I love. Sometimes it feels a bit ridiculous that I’m allowed to do this for a living. I think my mum agrees with that.

What are you most looking forward to in cricket in 2023?

The Ashes double-header. I think the men’s series is going to be the most competitive and entertaining since 2005 and there are some exciting young players coming through for the England women’s side who can finally end Australia’s dominance.

To learn more about the ‘A Life In Cricket’ campaign, click here

To learn more about the Surrey Cricket Foundation, click here