The ACS match lists are the bedrock of all cricket records. The fact that some people choose to ignore certain matches is neither here nor the there. the records that appear in Wisden are based on these lists and score amendments so they are important. Wilson's book is well regarded by historians of that era. Incidentally, The Devil at Woodford Wells is is my view the only decent, serious novel that involves cricket. H de Selincourt's first book is very good but probably not a serious book