However, cricket did not fade away during the war: it was played in schools and universities, on the streets and by the soldiers and airmen on active service, whilst John Wisden's Cricketers' Almanac continued to publish every spring.
Surrey County Cricket Club, despite The Oval having been commandeered by the military, issued a statement that spring which "hoped that some matches may be played in July and August".
Plum Warner, at home on sick leave, had an idea to stage services charity matches at Lord's.
The number of games increased as cricket began to be viewed as a morale booster.
When the 1918 Wisden was published, it honoured the School Bowlers of the Year - Harry Calder, John Firth, Clement Gibson, Gerard Rotherham and Greville Stevens.