The Cerebral Cricketer

What is it really like to live under the microscope as a professional cricketer? In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, I'm joined by Melbourne-based cricket journalist Daniel Cherny for a fascinating conversation on the hidden psychological side of professional cricket. We explore what high level cricketers have to deal with beyond pure performance, from media scrutiny and social media criticism to selection pressure, public narratives, and the mental toll of being constantly assessed. Daniel shares insights from years of covering Australian cricket, including how player reputations are formed, why certain narratives stick, how young players adjust to the spotlight, and what journalists observe about pressure that fans often miss. We also dive into Sheffield Shield cricket, Test cricket culture in Australia, and the evolving environment around elite players in the modern game. If you're interested in the mental side of cricket, selection dynamics, team culture, and the reality of life under the microscope, this is a must-watch. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:27 How Daniel Cherny got into sports journalism 02:02 Daniel's cricketing background 02:50 His journey from The Age to Code Sports 08:04 Victoria, cricket culture, and journalism 12:28 What makes covering cricket different 17:56 Sheffield Shield crowds and long format interest 21:49 Why Test cricket still dominates in Australia 26:11 Is Sheffield Shield still producing Test players? 33:21 The pressure jump to international cricket 40:32 How narratives stick to cricketers 49:46 How players handle being dropped 56:29 Social media and the mental toll on cricketers 01:02:03 Team culture and the modern Australian setup 01:08:14 Daniel's favourite journalism moments 01:09:39 The player unlucky to miss more Test cricket 01:10:24 Wrap up

We are joined by Western Australia wicketkeeper-batter Joel Curtis for a deep conversation on the mental and technical side of batting and handling self-doubt. We explore how backyard battles with his older brother shaped his competitiveness, how he developed his game, and the role Cricket Mentoring played in sharpening both his technique and mental approach. Joel opens up about playing in England, learning to trust his game, and how volume of cricket helped accelerate his development. He also reflects honestly on the pressure of second XI cricket, making his Sheffield Shield debut, getting a first-ball duck, and the self-doubt that followed, before later scoring his maiden Shield hundred for WA. If you enjoy cricket conversations that go beyond the surface and explore the mindset behind performance, this one is for you. Topics include: Joel Curtis, Western Australia cricket, Sheffield Shield, batting mindset, self-doubt, mental routines, wicketkeeper-batsman, grade cricket, Second XI cricket, first-class cricket, domestic cricket, cricket psychology, facing fast bowling, batting technique, cricket development. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:26 How Joel got into cricket 01:21 Growing up competitive with his older brother 03:41 Was he always a wicketkeeper-batter? 05:49 Learning without a technical coach 07:39 How backyard cricket shaped his batting 10:13 The impact of Cricket Mentoring 12:01 Batting fundamentals for young players 13:21 Why great batters play late 15:59 Does defense still matter in T20 cricket? 17:31 England, freedom and record-breaking runs 22:24 Why England fast-tracked his development 24:22 Grade cricket form and his WA opportunity 28:29 Advice for handling pressure opportunities 29:37 Joel's Sheffield Shield debut 32:48 First-ball duck, self-doubt and bouncing back 35:00 Reflecting on that dismissal and what he changed 36:54 Are Shield conditions harder for batters now? 39:58 The story behind his maiden Shield hundred 42:34 Preparing to face quality pace attacks 44:46 Batting in flow at Junction Oval 47:33 Learning from Mitch Marsh and WA's stars 50:37 How to train for genuine pace 52:57 Joel's batting routine 56:22 Adapting to different batting roles 59:38 MRF Academy, PM's XI and India experience 01:02:40 What India taught him about playing spin 01:04:18 Chasing 320 against Tasmania 01:07:05 Dressing room message during WA's tense chase 01:08:15 Sports psych, meditation and visualization 01:10:19 Handling self-doubt and mental chatter 01:13:21 Toughest bowler he has faced 01:13:58 Batters who impressed him most 01:14:54 His most satisfying innings 01:15:27 Best piece of advice he's received 01:19:12 Balancing work and cricket before his contract 01:20:47 Wrap up

Zimbabwe's Brad Evans sits down to unpack the real story behind his rise, from fringe seamer to one of the most effective T20 bowlers in the world. This is not just highlights and memories, it is a deep dive into the plans, spaces and mental frameworks he uses every time he competes for Zimbabwe. From that famous last over against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, to his five for against India in Harare and his Test five for against Afghanistan, Brad breaks down how he thinks about plans, pressure and patience at the highest level. This conversation is packed with practical lessons for fast bowlers, allrounders and coaches who care about the mental side of the game. 🧠 What we cover in this episode - Is Brad a naturally cerebral cricketer, and how growing up with Craig Evans shaped his cricket brain - Why his dad focused on enjoyment, not expectation, and how that protected his mindset - The Sri Lanka Cricketer camp, training in heat and humidity, and creating a cricket retreat environment - Low balls and bouncers, elite focus drills, and the coin exercise that changed how he watches the ball - Understanding spaces and body shapes rather than copying Kohli or Green - Technical tweaks to movement and alignment, and how posture at the crease shifts intent - The mindset shift from fearing getting out to seeing himself as a run scorer - A walk through of the last over vs Pakistan, sticking to his plan after getting hit - How that game changed how Zimbabwe fans, teammates and Brad himself saw his role - The India ODI series, dealing with imposter syndrome and taking a five for against a world giant - Test cricket patience, long spells, and his Afghanistan five for as a reward for discipline 🎙 About The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast The Cerebral Cricketer is a coaching led podcast that goes inside the minds of current players, coaches and specialists, focusing on plans, spaces and the mental skills that separate good from world class. Subscribe for more deep dives with international cricketers and high level coaches. If you enjoyed this episode with Brad Evans - Leave a comment with your favourite insight - Share this with a teammate or coach - Subscribe to the channel and hit the bell so you do not miss future episodes #BradEvans #ZimbabweCricket #T20Cricket #CricketPodcast #CricketMindset #FastBowler #SriLankaCricketer Timestamps 00:00 Intro and who Brad Evans is 02:00 Is Brad a naturally cerebral cricketer, growing up with Craig Evans 07:00 Dad's philosophy, enjoyment over expectation 11:30 Sri Lanka camp experience and training environment 18:30 Focus on low balls and bouncers, vision and focus drills 27:30 Working with Toby Radford, understanding his game and spaces 37:00 Technical tweaks, movement, balance and batting posture 47:30 Mindset shift, from fearing getting out to scoring runs 58:00 Pakistan T20 World Cup game and build up to the final over 1:07:30 Bowling the last over vs Pakistan, sticking to his plan 1:16:00 Aftermath of that win, change in confidence and perception 1:23:00 India ODI series, five wicket haul and partnership with Sikandar Raza 1:33:00 Test cricket mindset, patience and Afghanistan five for 1:42:00 Key lessons for cricketers and closing thoughts

Afghanistan's newly appointed batting coach Toby Radford joins The Cerebral Cricketer fresh off a win in Dubai, straight after a fast turnaround from the Bangladesh Premier League. In this episode, Toby breaks down what he looks for in elite batting across formats, from T20 game awareness and middle overs planning, to the technical "non negotiables" he believes most world class players share. We go deep on alignment, balance, triggers, playing late, soft hands, and the small details that can be the difference between being slightly out of form and back in rhythm. We also get practical on how those ideas translate in the nets and in match scenarios, Toby talks through the "option + execution" test he uses for every shot, and why T20 scoring can still come from proper cricket shots and low risk areas rather than slogging. What you'll learn How franchise coaching differs from international and county setups, what actually gets coached when players are in and out quickly T20 batting on slow turners vs true wickets, how to maximise the new ball and survive the middle overs "Option + execution", Toby's simple framework for every shot selection decision The alignment blueprint, head over feet, hands close, and why so many dismissals start with posture and early movement Triggers that work, triggers that ruin your setup, and how timing your movement changes everything Playing late drills, including a simple machine setup that forces better timing and control Toby Radford is a former first class cricketer for Middlesex and Sussex, who later became Head Coach at Middlesex and Head Coach at Glamorgan. He has worked internationally as West Indies batting coach, then held senior development roles as Head of High Performance at the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Batting Coach at the Pakistan Cricket Board High Performance Centre. He has been the Head Coach of Dhaka Capitals and has been appointed Afghanistan's batting coach. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:04 Toby's Afghanistan appointment 0:59 BPL to Dubai turnaround, win vs West Indies 1:34 Franchise cricket pace, what gets coached early 11:13 Option + execution, shot selection framework 15:14 Alignment, the straight line concept 17:19 Balance, head over feet, 60/40 weight cue 18:19 Stance width, white ball vs red ball setups 19:55 Foot movement, head goes first 21:18 Playing late drill, bowling machine setup 23:08 Unorthodox players, still the same fundamentals 27:11 Saif Hassan case study, balance at ball release 33:39 Trigger movement, timing, keep it minimal 38:04 Backlift and toe position, slower vs bouncier pitches 39:59 Coaching the short ball, what good looks like 41:56 Soft hands vs hard hands, shifting gears 45:33 Underrated batters to watch 48:57 Wrap up

Victoria and Melbourne Stars batter Blake Macdonald joins The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast for a deep dive into the mental side of cricket, the kind of mindset that actually holds up when the crowd is loud and the stakes feel heavy. Blake breaks down his core idea, "let go of the outcome", why chasing runs can tighten you up, and how focusing on simple cues helps him play freer, clearer cricket. We also get into premeditated batting, especially his sweep options, how he reads spin, and why planning your scoring can be a weapon, not a weakness. In this episode, we cover: - The "let go of the outcome" mindset, and how it reduces pressure and unlocks performance - Studying psychology while chasing pro cricket, what it's taught him about focus and confidence - Premeditated batting, sweep decisions, risk management, and committing to a plan - Handling role changes across formats, and staying adaptable without losing your identity - Big moments, big crowds, and the routines that keep him grounded If you enjoyed this one, like, subscribe, and comment! Timestamps 00:00:04 Intro + welcome 00:00:31 Stars derby, big crowds, adrenaline, pressure 00:04:31 Learning from senior pros (Stars change room) 00:07:03 Scoring options, sweep and reverse sweep, playing with intent 00:12:08 Middle order role, adapting across formats, decision making 00:17:10 BBL debut call up and prep, 37* off 12 vs Brisbane Heat 00:21:27 Training week planning, match ups, analysts, game plans 00:26:09 Dad as a coach, technical foundations, bottom hand, hockey influence 00:31:38 Modern technique debate, playing across the line, working through form dips 00:40:03 Hockey family background, where the reverse sweep came from 00:44:19 Studying psychology while chasing pro cricket, balancing work and sport 00:47:33 "Let go of the outcome", selection pressure and playing free 00:50:03 Moving to Melbourne, switching to Victoria, backing himself 01:00:55 Global Super League, West Indies conditions, adapting your scoring 01:05:07 Premeditated batting, sweep plans, reading spin 01:12:23 Staying present at the crease, scoring for process not outcomes 01:29:13 Notebook habits, reviewing innings, building confidence 01:36:33 Role models, toughest bowlers, best teammates 01:41:21 Final thoughts + wrap up

Rising West Indies batter Amir Jangoo joins The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast to unpack the mental side of that debut hundred against Bangladesh, the doubts that came before it, and the faith that keeps him grounded when the game humbles him. We go deep on how Amir thinks about failure, why he believes you must accept that you will fail as a professional, and how that frees him up to trust his preparation and play with clarity. He breaks down the chase ball by ball, talks through the moment he was on 94 and decided he was going to hit a six for his century, and explains what it is like to be in that flow state where every option feels on. Amir also reflects on his journey from Bradman U16 MVP in Sydney to first class debut for Trinidad and Tobago, a double hundred in domestic cricket, Super50 runs, sharing dressing rooms with West Indies stars, and dealing with the comedown after a dream debut tour when the next series does not go to plan. If you are a young batter, coach or just a cricket tragic who loves the psychology of the game, this one is packed with real talk on confidence, doubt, routines, faith, and staying level when cricket takes you from hero to struggler and back again. In this episode Story behind Amir's ODI debut hundred and record chase vs Bangladesh Fear of failure, second guessing yourself, and how pros learn to live with it Flow state, clarity and backing your options under pressure Bradman U16 in Sydney and early West Indies Under 19 memories First class debut for Trinidad and Tobago and learning from senior pros Domestic double hundred, Super50 runs and breaking into West Indies sides How faith, family and support networks keep him grounde 🎙 About The Cerebral Cricketer The Cerebral Cricketer is a podcast where we explore the mental side of the game with players, coaches and experts. We break down mindset, decision making and the inner conversations that shape performance. If you enjoyed this episode with Amir Jangoo, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with a teammate or coach who loves this side of cricket. Timestamps 0:00 Intro and why Amir's debut hundred mattered 0:01:18 West Indies call up and getting the debut cap 0:02:56 Dropped catch, walking in at 4 for 86 and starting the chase 0:14:37 Fear of failure, faith, visualisation and scoring mindset 0:22:18 From debut high to Ireland struggles and mental reset 0:31:55 Dad, early love for cricket and confidence in his batting 0:36:51 Test match foundations, Red Force culture and value of first class cricket 0:53:15 Youth pathway, zonal cricket and wicketkeeping development 0:56:35 Bradman Under 16 tour to Sydney and MVP at Bradman Oval 1:04:16 First class debut, double hundred and big domestic seasons 1:16:29 Franchise cricket lessons from Pollard, Shakib and other global stars 1:23:43 Adapting to Dubai, Bangladesh and New Zealand conditions and the short ball 1:35:57 Draft XI mini game picking an XI from his team mates 1:51:28 Fast bowling stories and final advice for young cricketers

Queensland Bulls quick Callum Vidler joins The Cerebral Cricketer to unpack his need for speed, what it feels like to bowl 140kph plus, and why he is always hunting poles rather than bowling safe. From U19 World Cup glory with Australia to a breakout Sheffield Shield final for Queensland, Callum opens up about the mindset behind fast bowling, learning to compete hard without losing control, and how he uses pace as his point of difference. In this episode we cover - Growing up in Brisbane and discovering he could bowl genuinely fast - School and club cricket, and the moment he realised cricket could be a career - U19 World Cup memories, handling knockout pressure and "mind games" with batters - Breaking into Shield cricket for Queensland and that 4 for in the Shield final - What "hunting poles" actually means for him as a fast bowler - Managing adrenaline, routines between balls and staying present at the top of his mark - Dealing with an early injury setback and using rehab to come back better, not bitter - Fast bowling role models, from Queensland greats to international quicks he studies If you enjoy deep dives into the mental side of cricket, mindset and performance, hit subscribe and share this episode with a fellow cricket tragic. Timestamps 0:00 Intro and Callum's cricket story so far 18:00 Handling drop catches, anger and extra pace 19:46 Not being greedy and the best ball plan 20:28 Simple game plan, top of off and bouncers 25:38 Fast bowling journey, never being told to slow down 27:40 Early technical tweaks and no back injuries yet 28:46 Grade cricket light bulb moment, finding extra pace 32:15 Intensity, gears and learning from Dale Steyn 33:52 Injuries, hunger and loving bowling again 34:28 Under 19 nationals and Ryan Harris as coach 35:21 Playing nationals at 17 and teammates like Hugh Weibgen 49:15 Game day fuelling and diet lessons from England 50:26 Warm up, sleep and first ball mindset 51:31 Switching on mentally without heavy meditation 52:05 Planning for batters without overloading on analysis 1:00:44 Shield final bowling plans and Andy Bichel's message 1:01:33 Beamer then beauty to remove Nathan McSweeney 1:02:26 Body language, run up tempo and staying calm in the final 1:03:02 Mindset defending 95 and staying in the moment 1:04:32 Tackling flat wickets and using pace as a point of difference 1:07:20 Under 19 World Cup selection and move to South Africa 1:08:26 Cross seam bounce, South African pitches and Aussie quicks 1:09:24 Four for vs England, cross seam and DLS twist 1:14:20 Batting with Raf McMillan to finish a chase 1:15:00 Preparing for the World Cup final vs India 1:16:25 Resetting after bad balls in a high pressure final 1:24:42 Learning from Marnus and game awareness in Shield cricket 1:25:06 Playing Shield cricket against Sam Konstas after the World Cup 1:26:33 Partial back stress fracture and missing an Australia tour 1:27:04 Injury emotions, staying around the group and Harvey Bay trip 1:28:14 Studying finance, life outside cricket and rehab runs 1:29:16 Hunger to return and not taking cricket for granted 1:35:14 Bowling when sore, being present and finding a way on tough days

Netherland's Opener Michael Levitt opens up on the simple blueprint behind a T20 hundred, powerplay intent, and mental clarity. We cover how he backs himself under pressure, reads bowlers, sets clear plans, and turns tempo into boundaries. He breaks down the Namibia 135, the communication with partners, and the drills that sharpen bat speed and contact quality. You will hear practical routines you can copy in your next innings, from pre ball cues to breathing and visualization. What we cover • Power game basics, intent in the first six, boundary percentage, strike rotation • Process over outcome, confidence, trusting your instincts when plans wobble • Reading matchups, field manipulation, scoring options by length and line • Flow state in cricket, mental recovery between balls, clearing noise • Training ideas, bat speed and contact drills, video review, simple KPIs • Netherlands culture, leadership, and what the team expects from an opener Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:01:07 England vs South Africa pathways and conditions 00:03:03 Early technique talk and field awareness 00:08:50 Simple plans, why simplifying works 00:10:31 Process over outcome 00:13:33 Visualization and mental routines 00:14:30 Simplicity in decision making 00:16:02 Confidence and backing yourself 00:32:15 Matchup science and reading bowlers 00:33:07 Setting up the hundred, cues before the surge 00:34:08 The Namibia 135, shot choices and momentum 00:34:52 Flow and keeping tempo 00:37:41 Scotland tri series lessons 00:43:26 World Cup surfaces, Sri Lanka warm up, New York wicket 00:47:44 Backing yourself, selection and role clarity 00:58:23 Back yourself, closing the loop on confidence 01:00:14 Drills, training ideas and simple KPIs

From the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year in 2005 to scoring 36 first-class centuries, Mark Cosgrove has lived the highs and challenges of professional cricket. Known for his fearless batting and natural stroke play, Cosgrove represented South Australia, Tasmania, Glamorgan, Leicestershire, and even wore the green and gold for Australia in 2006, scoring 74 on ODI debut against Bangladesh. In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast, Mark opens up about: His early days in cricket, balancing footy, soccer, and batting in tough Adelaide nets. Lessons from mentors like Russell Thompson, Andy Flower, and Darren Lehmann. Winning the 2002 U19 World Cup alongside Sean Marsh, Cameron White, and Mitchell Johnson. Dealing with pressure, setbacks, and public scrutiny while staying true to his attacking style. His transition into coaching with the South Australian Cricket Association, and what excites him about the next generation of talent. Whether you're a fan of domestic cricket, county cricket, or just love hearing the mental side of batting, this deep-dive with Cosgrove gives a raw and honest look at the game. 🎙️ Listen, learn, and get inside the mind of one of Australia's most entertaining batters.

In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, we sit down with Kyle Klein, Netherlands' emerging opening pacer, to unpack the mindset, preparation, and tactical thought behind his recent success with the new ball in international cricket. From mastering his run-up through eyes-closed drills to learning how to channel nerves into focus, Kyle gives us a rare look into the process that underpins his performance. He reflects on key moments like his 4 for 16 against Oman, his tactical approach against seasoned players like Joe Burns and the Menenti brothers, and what it's like to open the bowling on the world stage. We also explore: How visualisation helps him mentally rehearse match scenarios Why rhythm is central to his consistency and execution The importance of muscle memory and repetition in building confidence The transition from South African backyard cricket to international pressure Navigating nerves, pre-game rituals, and being mentally present at the top of his mark The evolution of his bowling style from swing to accuracy-driven quarter seam deliveries His gym routines, injury prevention mindset, and why feeling "tense" helps him perform Whether you're a bowler refining your craft, a coach shaping young players, or simply a cricket fan fascinated by the inner game, this conversation offers valuable insights into what it takes to thrive as a modern-day fast bowler.

In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, we sit down with Stephan Myburgh, the South African-born Dutch cricketer known for his fearless approach at the top of the order. From his iconic 17-ball fifty in the 2014 T20 World Cup to helping the Netherlands pull off giant-killing performances against cricketing powerhouses, Stephan shares the mindset, faith, and preparation that shaped his career. We explore: ✅ The story behind his move from South Africa to the Netherlands ✅ His mental approach to batting under pressure in T20s ✅ The unforgettable chase against Ireland in the 2014 T20 World Cup ✅ How faith and courage fueled his performances ✅ Lessons from facing world-class bowlers like Dale Steyn and Trent Boult ✅ Reflections on retirement and inspiring the next generation of cricketers Whether you're an aspiring cricketer, a fan of Associate cricket, or someone fascinated by the mental side of elite sport, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration. 🎧 Listen now and discover how faith, mindset, and hard work turned a dreamer into a history-maker. 👇 Subscribe for more episodes on the psychology of cricket https://youtube.com/@thecerebralcricketer

We sit down with Aaron Johnson, the explosive Canadian opening batter with Jamaican roots, whose late start and relentless work ethic have turned him into one of the most feared T20 hitters in Associate cricket. From herding goats in rural Jamaica to smashing sixes on the international stage, Aaron shares his journey of grit, growth, and the power of staying true to your game. We talk farm life, cricket culture, mental resilience, training through Canadian winters, and his mindset on debuting for Canada at age 31. He reflects on key mentors, time spent in England's club cricket scene, what he learned from the likes of Tim Southee, Chris Green, and Colin de Grandhomme, and why his motto remains: "See ball, hit ball." 🔎 Topics covered: The discipline farm life instilled in him His late bloom in professional cricket Life in Canada and qualifying for the national team Lessons from the Global T20 League His mindset before making his international debut What it takes to rise from obscurity to the world stage 📍Whether you're a cricketer, coach, or just someone chasing a dream, this episode is filled with raw inspiration and grounded wisdom. The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast is a deep dive into the psychological side of cricket. Through exclusive interviews with cricketers, coaches, and experts, we explore the journey, mindset, thought processes, and mental resilience behind success. From how batsmen sharpen their focus to the mental cues bowlers use for consistent execution, this podcast unpacks the cerebral side of the game - one conversation at a time. Decode the Mind, Master Your Temperament! Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, PocketCasts Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: @TheCerebralCricketer TikTok: @TheCerebralCricketer Twitter: @CerebralCricket