An Island's Eleven: The Story of Sri Lankan Cricket

by Nicholas Brookes

We all know the story of the 1996 World Cup: how a team of unfancied amateurs rose from obscurity and changed the way the game was played. Yet the lore of Sri Lankan cricket stretches back much further, from early matches between colonists andlocals, and Ashes-bound ships bringing in cricket’s biggest stars, to the more recent triumphs and tragedies that stem from cash flowing freely into the game. An Island’s Eleven tells this story in full for the first time, focusing on the characters and moments that have shaped the game forever.

Genres: Nonfiction

670 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 7, 2022

Reviews

[Book_withquotes · Rating 5 out of 5]

[image error]

Journey into the heart of Sri Lankan cricket with “An Island’s Eleven,” where the rich tapestry of the sport intertwines with the island’s vibrant culture and history. From the legendary Sathasivam to the iconic Sangakkara, Sri Lanka boasts a lineage of extraordinary cricketers who have redefined the game on their terms. This is a land where cricket is more than just a sport—it’s an identity, where pint-sized swashbucklers, innovative minds, and enigmatic spinners thrive amidst a backdrop of Victorian traditions and tropical hedonism. Delve into the lore of Sri Lankan cricket, from the euphoria of the ’96 World Cup triumph to the colonial-era clashes that infused the game with nationalistic fervor.

For the first time, “An Island’s Eleven” gives a riveting look into the heart of Sri Lankan cricket by revealing the little-known tales of victories, setbacks, and life-changing events that have had a lasting impact on the game. captivating, instructional, enlightening, and—above all—readable from the very beginning. Without passing judgment, it covers everything from the history of cricket in colonial Ceylon to the current Test players and 1996 World Cup champions.

A real masterpiece, thoroughly researched, with the odd tale to remind you why cricket is the funniest sport in the world. Major accolades for 2023 have been given to the book, which could inspire additional writers to focus on Sri Lankan cricket. I guess it was just a matter of time until there was an update, and An Island’s Eleven ends there.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive guide into the history of Sri Lankan cricket starting in the late 18th century and ending in the modern day. There's some very useful knowledge of the early days. It's told in chronology form detailing scorecards over the years so a lot of this was a nice walk down memory lane. There's also lots of lesser known stories and some great insights from former players and also Sri Lankan cricket superfan Percy. A must read for fans of Sri Lankan cricket.

[Thyagarajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The initial portions of the book documenting Lankan cricket history till the early 90s were fascinating but after that, it turns into just a series of match reports. I wish it had done a proper deep dive on the rotten culture of SLC and how they have tortured the players over the years.

[Sukant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovingly compiled, very comprehensive history of Sri Lankan cricket, right from the early days. A journey into the island nation's madness for cricket, the unique cricketers that emerged from the Sri Lankan school cricket system, and the corruption and the politics of the SLC (or the BCCSL, as it used to be known). Huge recommendation for anyone interested in the game.