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Eleven Bats: A Story of Cricket and the SAS
Alongside the SAS, Harry's other lifetime love is cricket. An improvised game of cricket was often the circuit-breaker Harry and his team needed after the tension of operations. He began a tradition of organising matches wherever he was sent, whether it was in the mountains of East Timor with a fugitive rebel leader, or on the dusty streets of Baghdad, or in exposed Forward Operating Bases in the hills of Afghanistan. Soldiers, locals and even visiting politicians played in these spontaneous yet often bridge-building games.
As part of the tradition, Harry also started to take a cricket bat with him on operational tours, eleven of them in total. They'd often go outside the wire with him and end up signed by those he met or fought alongside. These eleven bats form the basis for Harry's extraordinary memoir. It's a book about combat, and what it takes to serve in one of the world's most elite formations. It's a book about the toll that war takes on soldiers and their loved ones. And it's a book about the healing power of cricket, and how a game can break down borders in even the most desperate of circumstances.
As part of the tradition, Harry also started to take a cricket bat with him on operational tours, eleven of them in total. They'd often go outside the wire with him and end up signed by those he met or fought alongside. These eleven bats form the basis for Harry's extraordinary memoir. It's a book about combat, and what it takes to serve in one of the world's most elite formations. It's a book about the toll that war takes on soldiers and their loved ones. And it's a book about the healing power of cricket, and how a game can break down borders in even the most desperate of circumstances.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2020
14 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Anthony 'Harry' Moffitt
1 book1 followerAnthony 'Harry' Moffitt recently retired from the Australian Defence Force after almost thirty years, most of which was spent with Australia's elite Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment as a Team Commander and Team Specialist. He has served in eleven active deployments, including being wounded in action in 2008. Harry completed his time with the SAS as its Human Performance Manager. He's a Registered Psychologist and runs a human performance consultancy, Stotan Group, working with sports teams, the military and industry. He remains a cricket tragic.
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January 18, 2021
Eleven Bats: A Story of Combat, Cricket and the SAS by Anthony Moffitt
Synopsis /
Alongside the SAS, Harry's other lifetime love is cricket. An improvised game of cricket was often the circuit-breaker Harry and his team needed after the tension of operations. He began a tradition of organising matches wherever he was sent, whether it was in the mountains of East Timor with a fugitive rebel leader, or on the dusty streets of Baghdad, or in exposed Forward Operating Bases in the hills of Afghanistan. Soldiers, locals and even visiting politicians played in these spontaneous yet often bridge-building games.
As part of the tradition, Harry also started to take a cricket bat with him on operational tours, eleven of them in total. They'd often go outside the wire with him and end up signed by those he met or fought alongside. These eleven bats form the basis for Harry's extraordinary memoir. It's a book about combat, and what it takes to serve in one of the world's most elite formations. It's a book about the toll that war takes on soldiers and their loved ones. And it's a book about the healing power of cricket, and how a game can break down borders in even the most desperate of circumstances.
My Thoughts /
’Like many Australian soldiers in that period, I have been shot at, blown up, busted and broken, mentally drained, socially dislocated and spiritually, ethically and morally challenged.’
Right from the Dedication written in this book you know you are going to get honest and raw. It’s my hope that anyone who reads this book will take away something positive. Harry certainly has a way with words….The Oxford English Dictionary has the definition of “war” as a Hostile contention by means of armed forces, carried on between nations, states, or rulers, or between parties in the same nation or state; the employment of armed forces against a foreign power, or against an opposing party in the state. It can be applied poetically or rhetorically to any kind of active hostility or contention between living beings, or of conflict between opposing forces or principles. Sounds awful [war] and it is, make no mistake.
I am reminded of a quote by G. Michael Hopf - Decisions determine destiny. We all make them and have to live with them – Harry is no different – he’s human, just like the rest of us.
In times of anguish he is able to find a lighter side – or maybe it’s just come across that way in his storytelling.
In one of our hides, we were discovered – by a herd of goats. They wandered up and started eating the scrub we had picked from high up in a tree. We had actually done the goats a favour, as they had already eaten all the low scrub. To address the ongoing issue of being discovered by goats, scientists assisting Special Forces had created a spray, supposedly smelling of tiger piss, that we were directed to spray on our hides to ward off the hungry and curious animals. The only problem was that the goats did not know what tiger piss smelt like – as they were no tigers in Afghanistan! Another brilliant idea from the boffins in the lab…
This is not just a book about war, it’s also about Australians and Australian-isms, life, dreams and of course, cricket! You learn about all-rounders, bouncers, googly, pitch, innings and the bat (or Willow). The bats, all 11 of them, are used as links between each of the chapters, which coincided with different periods of deployment. Each bat evokes different memories and is a poignant reminder of survival amongst horrifying conditions. Harry is definitely a cricket fanatic and on deployment used it as a release; diversion; morale building and, more importantly, bridge-building.
I dreamt of becoming a lot of things – a cricketer, a footballer, even an architect – but when I look back, I was only ever going to be a soldier. Fish don’t know they’re in water. You don’t understand the impact of your upbringing until you’re looking back. When it comes to my destiny in life, I guess it was written.
If you choose to read this book you will get the good, the bad and the ugly. It is my hope that if you read this book you will do so with an open mind and heart – for which you will be justly rewarded.
Synopsis /
Alongside the SAS, Harry's other lifetime love is cricket. An improvised game of cricket was often the circuit-breaker Harry and his team needed after the tension of operations. He began a tradition of organising matches wherever he was sent, whether it was in the mountains of East Timor with a fugitive rebel leader, or on the dusty streets of Baghdad, or in exposed Forward Operating Bases in the hills of Afghanistan. Soldiers, locals and even visiting politicians played in these spontaneous yet often bridge-building games.
As part of the tradition, Harry also started to take a cricket bat with him on operational tours, eleven of them in total. They'd often go outside the wire with him and end up signed by those he met or fought alongside. These eleven bats form the basis for Harry's extraordinary memoir. It's a book about combat, and what it takes to serve in one of the world's most elite formations. It's a book about the toll that war takes on soldiers and their loved ones. And it's a book about the healing power of cricket, and how a game can break down borders in even the most desperate of circumstances.
My Thoughts /
’Like many Australian soldiers in that period, I have been shot at, blown up, busted and broken, mentally drained, socially dislocated and spiritually, ethically and morally challenged.’
Right from the Dedication written in this book you know you are going to get honest and raw. It’s my hope that anyone who reads this book will take away something positive. Harry certainly has a way with words….The Oxford English Dictionary has the definition of “war” as a Hostile contention by means of armed forces, carried on between nations, states, or rulers, or between parties in the same nation or state; the employment of armed forces against a foreign power, or against an opposing party in the state. It can be applied poetically or rhetorically to any kind of active hostility or contention between living beings, or of conflict between opposing forces or principles. Sounds awful [war] and it is, make no mistake.
I am reminded of a quote by G. Michael Hopf - Decisions determine destiny. We all make them and have to live with them – Harry is no different – he’s human, just like the rest of us.
In times of anguish he is able to find a lighter side – or maybe it’s just come across that way in his storytelling.
In one of our hides, we were discovered – by a herd of goats. They wandered up and started eating the scrub we had picked from high up in a tree. We had actually done the goats a favour, as they had already eaten all the low scrub. To address the ongoing issue of being discovered by goats, scientists assisting Special Forces had created a spray, supposedly smelling of tiger piss, that we were directed to spray on our hides to ward off the hungry and curious animals. The only problem was that the goats did not know what tiger piss smelt like – as they were no tigers in Afghanistan! Another brilliant idea from the boffins in the lab…
This is not just a book about war, it’s also about Australians and Australian-isms, life, dreams and of course, cricket! You learn about all-rounders, bouncers, googly, pitch, innings and the bat (or Willow). The bats, all 11 of them, are used as links between each of the chapters, which coincided with different periods of deployment. Each bat evokes different memories and is a poignant reminder of survival amongst horrifying conditions. Harry is definitely a cricket fanatic and on deployment used it as a release; diversion; morale building and, more importantly, bridge-building.
I dreamt of becoming a lot of things – a cricketer, a footballer, even an architect – but when I look back, I was only ever going to be a soldier. Fish don’t know they’re in water. You don’t understand the impact of your upbringing until you’re looking back. When it comes to my destiny in life, I guess it was written.
If you choose to read this book you will get the good, the bad and the ugly. It is my hope that if you read this book you will do so with an open mind and heart – for which you will be justly rewarded.
November 16, 2020
ELEVEN BATS by Anthony ‘Harry’ Moffitt is published by Allen & Unwin October 2020
Review by Lorraine Parker
I hesitantly stepped right out of my comfort zone to read Eleven Bats. I am not an avid cricket follower, the SAS is far from my realm and, like many, war horrifies me. However, history, humanitarianism, courage in the face of adversity and courage I can really relate to. Moffitt’s compelling introduction alone is worth reading and drew me in.
The first chapter covers Harry’s first deployment in Afghanistan, 2002/03 as member of the SAS. So many snippets of humour such as; when hiding in a camouflaged area “the goats nibbled our cover away”. He hissed. “Get lost! But they didn’t speak English”, lighten their situation and also the grimness of even reading his account. Moffitt also writes that, “if it weren’t for moments of humour, we’d have gone mad”.
Then there is the cricket and the bats. Eleven bats are the links between each deployment (as well as chapters), and are the basis of this exceptional memoir. Cricket was a release, it was morale building, it was a diversion, it was sanity and many times it was ‘bridge’ building. Each bat was to become a reminder of what survival meant. Training for the SAS in Perth was extremely tough. A remarkable calibre was needed, both physically and mentally.
Moffitt has both qualities. He has a healthy scepticism about authorities fortified by his witnessing first-hand the fractures of law and order between, for example, the navy and his combat team as in Timor-Leste 2006.
Moffitt describes one of his most devastating, gory and brutal experiences in Afghanistan when innocent civilians were injured in a blast from a suicide bomber. A surreal and confronting experience. Cricket was yet again a panacea in the aftermath.
Without his incredible wife, Danielle and children to return to, Moffitt may not have made it through the SAS as long as he did. Bat XI or chapter 11 is a profound summation of his years of service and looking back, how he sees the situation of Afghanistan. He has gathered so much insight through his humanitarian approach.
Moffitt is now a Registered Psychologist and runs a human performance consultancy.
Yes, it is a real man’s book but also a book for everyone. I devoured it over several sittings.
Review by Lorraine Parker
I hesitantly stepped right out of my comfort zone to read Eleven Bats. I am not an avid cricket follower, the SAS is far from my realm and, like many, war horrifies me. However, history, humanitarianism, courage in the face of adversity and courage I can really relate to. Moffitt’s compelling introduction alone is worth reading and drew me in.
The first chapter covers Harry’s first deployment in Afghanistan, 2002/03 as member of the SAS. So many snippets of humour such as; when hiding in a camouflaged area “the goats nibbled our cover away”. He hissed. “Get lost! But they didn’t speak English”, lighten their situation and also the grimness of even reading his account. Moffitt also writes that, “if it weren’t for moments of humour, we’d have gone mad”.
Then there is the cricket and the bats. Eleven bats are the links between each deployment (as well as chapters), and are the basis of this exceptional memoir. Cricket was a release, it was morale building, it was a diversion, it was sanity and many times it was ‘bridge’ building. Each bat was to become a reminder of what survival meant. Training for the SAS in Perth was extremely tough. A remarkable calibre was needed, both physically and mentally.
Moffitt has both qualities. He has a healthy scepticism about authorities fortified by his witnessing first-hand the fractures of law and order between, for example, the navy and his combat team as in Timor-Leste 2006.
Moffitt describes one of his most devastating, gory and brutal experiences in Afghanistan when innocent civilians were injured in a blast from a suicide bomber. A surreal and confronting experience. Cricket was yet again a panacea in the aftermath.
Without his incredible wife, Danielle and children to return to, Moffitt may not have made it through the SAS as long as he did. Bat XI or chapter 11 is a profound summation of his years of service and looking back, how he sees the situation of Afghanistan. He has gathered so much insight through his humanitarian approach.
Moffitt is now a Registered Psychologist and runs a human performance consultancy.
Yes, it is a real man’s book but also a book for everyone. I devoured it over several sittings.
October 24, 2021
5 ⭐️
“If we didn’t have cricket, I felt, we would drive ourselves mad waiting…You join up for action, but the reality was days of tedium, missions being prepared and then cancelled at the last moment, with the occasional risk of instant death. It wasn’t conducive to sustainable long-term mental health. Whatever flooded into those long gaps in time was up to us, and my choice was cricket.” (Pg 121).
.
There is no better way to sum up Eleven Bats than this quote by Anthony ‘Harry’ Moffitt himself. A career soldier in the Australian Army, he spent more than twenty years in the SAS in some of the most dangerous places on earth, fighting for his country and trying not to go crazy.
With his love for the SAS matched only by his love for cricket, Moffitt began to take a cricket bat with him on tour. Not only was it used to fill in time, but it built bridges with locals and collation personnel in some of the war ravaged places on earth.
What an absolutely amazing read this book is! It’s an interesting, raw, honest and no holds barred account of not only being in the SAS; but the effect that it had on Moffitt as a man, a husband, father, solider, relative, friend and cricket tragic. I really appreciated that Moffitt didn’t spend the entire book simply sharing war stories, but gave us incredible and honest insight into one of the hardest, but most thankless; jobs there is.
I couldn’t put Eleven Bats down, reading it in one day. There is plenty of ‘army speak’ and cricket lingo; but the writing is strong enough that you won’t be left bamboozled if you don’t speak these ‘languages’. Instead, what you will get is a well written account of not only life in the Australia Army, but also the power of sport and how it transcends language, religion and nationality.
I love a good memoir and Eleven Bats is certainly one of these. It’s a must read for lovers of sport, cricket and the military; but memoirs generally. I cannot recommend it enough and thank Moffitt for sharing the good, bad and the ugly of being an SAS operator with us.
Eleven Bats by Anthony ‘Harry’ Moffitt is my twenty first read in #ktbookbingo, category ‘Features a war zone, battlefield or minefield’. To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @kt_elder on Instagram.
“If we didn’t have cricket, I felt, we would drive ourselves mad waiting…You join up for action, but the reality was days of tedium, missions being prepared and then cancelled at the last moment, with the occasional risk of instant death. It wasn’t conducive to sustainable long-term mental health. Whatever flooded into those long gaps in time was up to us, and my choice was cricket.” (Pg 121).
.
There is no better way to sum up Eleven Bats than this quote by Anthony ‘Harry’ Moffitt himself. A career soldier in the Australian Army, he spent more than twenty years in the SAS in some of the most dangerous places on earth, fighting for his country and trying not to go crazy.
With his love for the SAS matched only by his love for cricket, Moffitt began to take a cricket bat with him on tour. Not only was it used to fill in time, but it built bridges with locals and collation personnel in some of the war ravaged places on earth.
What an absolutely amazing read this book is! It’s an interesting, raw, honest and no holds barred account of not only being in the SAS; but the effect that it had on Moffitt as a man, a husband, father, solider, relative, friend and cricket tragic. I really appreciated that Moffitt didn’t spend the entire book simply sharing war stories, but gave us incredible and honest insight into one of the hardest, but most thankless; jobs there is.
I couldn’t put Eleven Bats down, reading it in one day. There is plenty of ‘army speak’ and cricket lingo; but the writing is strong enough that you won’t be left bamboozled if you don’t speak these ‘languages’. Instead, what you will get is a well written account of not only life in the Australia Army, but also the power of sport and how it transcends language, religion and nationality.
I love a good memoir and Eleven Bats is certainly one of these. It’s a must read for lovers of sport, cricket and the military; but memoirs generally. I cannot recommend it enough and thank Moffitt for sharing the good, bad and the ugly of being an SAS operator with us.
Eleven Bats by Anthony ‘Harry’ Moffitt is my twenty first read in #ktbookbingo, category ‘Features a war zone, battlefield or minefield’. To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo or @kt_elder on Instagram.
May 4, 2021
I don’t usually read these sorts of books – military biographies, but needed to read a book while away. Hence, having seen “Harry” on T.V, a few times, I thought it would be good to read a little bit more on him. I was so gland that I did, as I learnt the real issues our military vets have to deal with, particularly when they return home after their duties. “War is very messing and ugly.”
However, what made Harry different to other men, is that he had a supportive wife, to whom stood beside him, and his passion for cricket, which became a channel and outlet for his anger and bad mood swings, that came from years within the Australian S.A.S, in a world that was changing due to threat of terrorism. However, after he left the Army, Harry still needed to find ways to heal and move forward. Yet, he had a plan – using his psychology degree, when so many don’t. Hence, now he helps other Vets get help and heal, which is why he is always appearing on T.V.
Thus, this book is for anyone who wants to know what its like servicing in the military within the modern era, and ways to help them join society again, after so many years living within the chaotic war culture. Yet, also a good read to how far a Man whose passion is Cricket, taking it to all parts of the world, forming him many friendships.
This line summaries up this book – “The World is a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous place, and form what I have seen, so are humans.”
However, what made Harry different to other men, is that he had a supportive wife, to whom stood beside him, and his passion for cricket, which became a channel and outlet for his anger and bad mood swings, that came from years within the Australian S.A.S, in a world that was changing due to threat of terrorism. However, after he left the Army, Harry still needed to find ways to heal and move forward. Yet, he had a plan – using his psychology degree, when so many don’t. Hence, now he helps other Vets get help and heal, which is why he is always appearing on T.V.
Thus, this book is for anyone who wants to know what its like servicing in the military within the modern era, and ways to help them join society again, after so many years living within the chaotic war culture. Yet, also a good read to how far a Man whose passion is Cricket, taking it to all parts of the world, forming him many friendships.
This line summaries up this book – “The World is a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous place, and form what I have seen, so are humans.”
September 17, 2021
Charts a young man's rise through the ranks of the Australian Defence Force eventually becoming Team Commander and Team Specialist in Australian's elite Special Air Service (SAS). 'Harry' an avid cricket player develops a modus operandi of carrying a cricket bat on his deployments - initiating games of cricket in war torn regions. The games, adapted to the surroundings and open to any players; similar street or park games with rules encouraging inclusion permitting many a random fielder to be given a turn to bat.
There is an endearing simplicity to the approach of using simple games of cricket, although unorthodox; as a means of breaking down cultural barriers and releaving stress. Harry's mix emotions about war in general and the approaches to war are evident - as is a clear need for more support for all veterans who bear scars after service, both visible and invisible. This is a mission which Harry continues to support.
This is a deeply personal book which illustrates the roller-coaster ride military service personnel service families go on. Where in seeking to restore peace to foreign regions they run the risk of fracturing and spliting their own personal relationships. This is compounded by the physical, emotional and psychological traumas they bring back home.
Rating 4.1 / 5
Recommended for anyone interested in or involved with the military.
@fivequotebookchallenge
There is an endearing simplicity to the approach of using simple games of cricket, although unorthodox; as a means of breaking down cultural barriers and releaving stress. Harry's mix emotions about war in general and the approaches to war are evident - as is a clear need for more support for all veterans who bear scars after service, both visible and invisible. This is a mission which Harry continues to support.
This is a deeply personal book which illustrates the roller-coaster ride military service personnel service families go on. Where in seeking to restore peace to foreign regions they run the risk of fracturing and spliting their own personal relationships. This is compounded by the physical, emotional and psychological traumas they bring back home.
Rating 4.1 / 5
Recommended for anyone interested in or involved with the military.
@fivequotebookchallenge
January 5, 2022
If one believes George Orwell’s maxim that “Sport is war, minus the shooting,” then is war simply sport with shooting? Must one side in a conflict still play by the rules, even when the other does not? It is a controversial subject often debated, particularly recently in Australia. In Eleven Bats, one of Australia’s most experienced SAS officers, Anthony “Harry” Moffitt, recalls twenty years of campaigns in war zones including Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor. The title refers to Moffitt’s ritual of taking a cricket bat with him on each deployment, so he and his fellow soldiers can play a friendly sporting match in the midst of the savagery and death, as a form of release and to maintain their sanity. “To fight an enemy who plays by no rules at all, who kills innocent women and children at will,” writes Moffitt, “you must find a way to fight on the very edges of your moral virtues, the laws and rules of engagement, without crossing the line.” Moffitt’s insightful study into the minds of men who are thrown into war against extreme ideologies, and who witness the very worst of humanity, then have to go home to their families and behave in the manner their community expects, is compelling and disturbing. Eleven Bats should stand among classics of Australian war stories.
April 11, 2024
When I first heard about this book I thought that it would be another 'boys own adventure', young bloke joins the SAS type of story. While it's really not possible to write a story about life in the SAS and it not be and adventure story, Harry Moffit has gone beyond the cliche. The style of the writing makes it easy to read. While it is mainly chronological, Harry uses the 'Eleven Bats' that he bought or took on his operational tours and his passion for cricket with the SAS to frame his story. He isn't locked into a strict chronological sequence and introduces events that tell the story of a theme or idea. Moffit shares his many reflections about himself and what we sees as his vulnerabilities and failings as well as questioning the direction of the operations against the enemy as the war in Afghanistan dragged on. This book is a raw insight into the impact that a busy service life can have on family life and I suspect not just in the SAS. A constant theme is how he missed his wife and his children growing up. It is also a reminder of how engaged some our defence force was in the war in Afghanistan and how little the wider Australian community was. Not just for the enthusiast of military books, this is a wonderful read.
February 4, 2021
A solid memoir that goes into quite a bit of satisfying detail about the deployments into Afghanistan, and the torn feelings that the introspective author feels about the military world and their contributions. There's a lot of great frankness, and some worthy criticism, along with a lot of heavily Strayan anecdotes.
The book is largely sold as a cricket book, but this is largely a book about soldiering which uses the author's love of cricket as a frame. There are very few stories about the actual outcomes of games, for example. Cricket is more of a social lubricant within the pages, and there is a lot more detail about the harrowing nature of certain missions, mishaps, and general SAS culture.
The book is really more of a 3.5 star read, it's decidedly better than average, but the disparate elements don't come into anything exceptional. It has the purity of the first time author, though. Clearly a very personal book, and from a very considered person.
The book is largely sold as a cricket book, but this is largely a book about soldiering which uses the author's love of cricket as a frame. There are very few stories about the actual outcomes of games, for example. Cricket is more of a social lubricant within the pages, and there is a lot more detail about the harrowing nature of certain missions, mishaps, and general SAS culture.
The book is really more of a 3.5 star read, it's decidedly better than average, but the disparate elements don't come into anything exceptional. It has the purity of the first time author, though. Clearly a very personal book, and from a very considered person.
July 31, 2025
It is always fascinating hearing the experiences of someone with such passion and obsession for their occupation or pass times. Anthony ‘Harry’ Moffitt has both in spades.
He shares a collection of memories and stories through chapters of his decade of experience in the Australian SAS. He does so through 11 Cricket Bats that he carried with him on each of his deployments to war zones in the likes of Afghanistan and Timor-Leste. Moffitt used the game of cricket as a stress reliever and a way for himself and fellow troops to take their mind off the misery of war. He also uses the game as a conduit between the Australian Soldiers, locals and even politicians on the dusty streets and operation bases they visit on tours.
Moffitt does well to include a good variety of stories that cover the mundane ‘box ticking’ side of spending over 10 years serving, but also plenty of intense and dire moments that will make your heart race and your palms sweat.
He shares a collection of memories and stories through chapters of his decade of experience in the Australian SAS. He does so through 11 Cricket Bats that he carried with him on each of his deployments to war zones in the likes of Afghanistan and Timor-Leste. Moffitt used the game of cricket as a stress reliever and a way for himself and fellow troops to take their mind off the misery of war. He also uses the game as a conduit between the Australian Soldiers, locals and even politicians on the dusty streets and operation bases they visit on tours.
Moffitt does well to include a good variety of stories that cover the mundane ‘box ticking’ side of spending over 10 years serving, but also plenty of intense and dire moments that will make your heart race and your palms sweat.
January 7, 2021
As the blurb hints, this isn't a 'war' story; it's much more flavoured and personally nuanced than that. Eleven Bats is an insight into the mind of an Australian SASR soldier balancing the demands of duty, family, pitch and morality. Harry begins as a fresh face in one of Australia's most demanding military positions. Throughout his eleven deployments he revels, rues, and reconciles.
Turning through the pages, Harry invites you over for a beer, and weaves a carpet of life stories that wield your attention regardless of your interest in military and cricket.
In light of the IGADF (Afghan Inquiry), which came out around the same date, these pages are well worth your hours as they inform the environments (mentally and physically) that we ask our serving citizens to perform in.
Turning through the pages, Harry invites you over for a beer, and weaves a carpet of life stories that wield your attention regardless of your interest in military and cricket.
In light of the IGADF (Afghan Inquiry), which came out around the same date, these pages are well worth your hours as they inform the environments (mentally and physically) that we ask our serving citizens to perform in.
January 21, 2022
Interesting autobiography from an ex-SAS (Australian) soldier.
He goes through how he got into the SAS and details his service via his stories about his collection of 11 cricket bats - how he acquired them, some of the backyard cricket games he played with locals, his fellow SAS mates and occasionally his adversaries.
He talks about his service in Iraq, his tours in Afganistan and Timor-Leste. He also details some of his near-death experiences.
Enjoyable tales.
He goes through how he got into the SAS and details his service via his stories about his collection of 11 cricket bats - how he acquired them, some of the backyard cricket games he played with locals, his fellow SAS mates and occasionally his adversaries.
He talks about his service in Iraq, his tours in Afganistan and Timor-Leste. He also details some of his near-death experiences.
Enjoyable tales.
October 23, 2024
An honest and engaging account of the author’s military career in the SASR written around the theme of his keen interest in cricket. He writes compellingly about his involvement in operations and the manner in which these changed over time as did his attitude towards how he and his comrades were employed. He presents a carefully constructed story in a self-deprecating manner that makes for a very entertaining read. Highly recommended.
January 19, 2023
What a great read.
The audio book was great.
It's a awesome story, it shows you the story of the sas from 1990 to 2015, how it changed from what it use to be to now.
It also shows you the effects of special operations soldiers service on their everyday lives.
Recommend it to see what people go though on the other side
The audio book was great.
It's a awesome story, it shows you the story of the sas from 1990 to 2015, how it changed from what it use to be to now.
It also shows you the effects of special operations soldiers service on their everyday lives.
Recommend it to see what people go though on the other side
November 25, 2025
Combination of a sports book and a military book. Details service with the SAS, Family, Cricket and holding it all together in between deployments overseas. Talks in details about the struggles he's gone through and the day to day hassle of juggling warfare, hassles and exhaustion. Pulls no punches and reveals what a realistic picture life in the military is.
December 2, 2020
A fantastic book written by a man with a wealth of knowledge, who along with a high level of emotional intelligence and a degree in psychology, describes the reality of war much better than the typical gun slinger. Thank you for writing this book Harry.
December 21, 2020
DNF at 58 pages.
I was recommended this book, but it just didn’t interest me.
I was recommended this book, but it just didn’t interest me.
March 24, 2021
An interesting memoir about an SAS officer framed around how cricket (among other things) assisted him in keeping his mental health.
August 22, 2021
Really well written, 4.5 stars
August 31, 2021
An amazing insight into what life is like in the SAS
April 3, 2023
This was a great book that went deep into the psychology
Of soldiering in the SASR, and a bit of cricket as well. I would highly recommend this book.
Of soldiering in the SASR, and a bit of cricket as well. I would highly recommend this book.
September 13, 2023
Was a reasonable read. Good to see sport (cricket) actually was a unifier and it’s not just a feel good saying.
October 20, 2023
Surprising read which relates a military career in terms of cricket. An easy compelling read
June 23, 2025
A great read. I've had the pleasure of having a coffee and a chat with Harry. He's and absolute legend and this book solidifies my positive view of him even further. Looking forward to his next book.
June 3, 2025
3.9 ⭐️
October 18, 2023
This is a caring, compassionate, well thought through and extremely well-written book, talking about love for others, love for community, masquerading as a SAS book.
Cricket is Harry's tool for connecting with others & is used liberally to break down walls. From all accounts, the ADF's response was better from Harry being present and ADF members, then and in the future, better off for Harry a fellow soldier.
I really enjoyed this thoughtful read.
Cricket is Harry's tool for connecting with others & is used liberally to break down walls. From all accounts, the ADF's response was better from Harry being present and ADF members, then and in the future, better off for Harry a fellow soldier.
I really enjoyed this thoughtful read.
August 14, 2023
This was a real departure from the usual SAS Bio. I enjoyed it immensely and can highly recommend it to anyone who wants a quality SAS bio rather than an action storybook dressed up as a personal history.
May 17, 2023
A well-written, likeable, sometimes hilarious and sometimes quite heart-breaking memoir by one Australian SAS soldier, who loved his family, his mates, and his cricket.
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