James Bennett is a native of Portlaoise, Co. Laois. He was educated in St. Mary's CBS, Portlaoise, and then attended St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra. His first teaching post was in at Balbriggan, but he spent the rest of his teaching career at St. Colmcille's BNS, Swords. He became principal of that school in 1980 and retired in 2015. For many years now, he has been involved in cricket administration at The Hills CC, Cricket Leinster, Cricket Ireland, and in 2022 he was elected President of Cricket Leinster.
The story of cricket in Laois (Queen's County) is told from its origins in the 1830s to 2023. The factors which enable cricket in the county to survive, cease to exist, and be reborn are analysed in detail and the inextricable links between cricket and the social, political, and cultural history of Laois are examined. Although cricket provides the underpinning for the book, there is an emphasis on the people who played cricket rather than giving detailed reports of games. Using archival material, anecdotal accounts, and photographs, the evolution of cricket from its elitist origins to its present status as an inclusive sport is described and analysed.
