Mahela Jayawardena (Sri Lanka) celebrates his century on the fourth day of the first Test against England on 14 May 2006 at Lord’s. (Photo by Patrick Eagar / Patrick Eagar Collection / Getty Images) Mahela Jayawardena achieved twice what many legends never managed once: a lasting place in the history of The Home – the Lord’s Honours Board. (Courtesy MCC)
Ranjan’s different type of book on cricketing stories, titled ‘Winds Behind The Willows: A Sri Lankan’s Life in Love with Cricket’ amply portrays his passion and love for the game. In my view, his effort gives in-depth analysis of the matches he had witnessed, that are so precise that the reader is engrossed and enlightened in a delightful way.
Winds Behind The Willows is an interesting book...for everyone who wishes to enhance knowledge Click To Tweet
By not only describing the progress of the match in question but also by providing an insight into the ways of how cricketers had worked out their game plan, the reader is afforded an insight into specific areas in focus, especially when the author decides to freeze the action for a given moment. Thus, we are provided with rare opportunities to learn behind the scenes, which are most often not provided for, in real life. On the other hand, his overall viewpoint helps us to absorb much more than just a description of a game.
The attention to detail makes it an interesting book to possess, not only for Sri Lankan cricket fans but everyone who wishes to enhance one’s knowledge of the game from numerous angles and reminding us that winners don’t do different things but they do things differently!
May his hard work in compiling this one of a kind book help the game of cricket and those wanting to learn more, now more than ever.
(Kushil Gunasekera is the manager of legendary Muttiah Muralidaran and Founder/Chief Trustee of the charity, Foundation of Goodness.)