Lessons Learnt with the Greats Shane Watson

Today's guest on Lessons Learnt from the Greats is a magnificent person who has gone from a fierce rival to close friend, Harbhajan Singh. 'Bhaji' as he's known, tormented batting lineups around the world but saved his best for the Aussies. His efforts in the 2001 Test series against Australia is truly unbelievable, kickstarting one of the most successful cricket careers of all time. While he might have rubbed a few people the wrong way, I can tell you Bhaji is one of the kindest, nicest people I have met and it's a privilege to have him on my show. 


Episode rundown
04:14 - We start by talking about the epic 2001 Test series against Austraia and how that changed his life
09:57 - Bhaji talks about his career highlights, including World Cup wins in 2007 and 2011
14:44 - Bhaji is a master off-spinner and here he talks about his technique and bowling process
20:10 - We speak about the mental side of the game and how the mind is more powerful than skills
35:16 - How Bhaji kept his body in check having bowled thousands of deliveries 
39:05 - Bhaji explains how he would have treated the media differently if he had his time again
44:42 - We speak about investment, getting the right advice and Bhaji's brilliant business which I absolutely love
54:12 - The saying and mantras Bhaji lives by, including one from Virat Kohli
58:24 - Bhaji finishes by talking about the most inspiring person he has met
 
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I am truly honoured to welcome one of the game's greatest players of all time and the batter every aspiring cricketer wants to be - AB de Villiers. AB's record on the field goes without saying - as one of the most dominant batters of his generation, AB destroyed bowling attacks in every corner of the globe and produced a long list of jaw-dropping innings I still can't believe happened. While we were fierce rivals on the field, I'm so lucky to be able to chat to AB now as a friend, and discuss the art of batting, dealing with pressure and our entrepreneurial passions. This is one of my favourite episodes of Lessons Learnt with the Greats and I hope you enjoy it.


Episode rundown
02:42 We start by chatting about some of my favourite highlights of AB's career but go into the mental side of the game, how he prepared for games and his secret for success that he stole from the Aussies
17:40 - AB names his career highlights 
19:30 - Here we go into the technical side of batting
31:20 - AB is a great player of spin, and here he talks about playing the turning ball and the batting drills he has used
43:22 - We discuss what AB does to keep fit
47:02 - AB talks about what he would have done differently in terms of the media during his career
57:03 - We discuss the financial side of life and AB's investments
1:07:35 - The mantras AB uses in life
1:09:43 - The people who have inspired AB
1:11:39 - We finish with the books that AB has loved
 
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The shoe is on the other foot this week as I chat to Aussie legend Mike Hussey about the lessons I have learnt through my life and career. This is part two of my chat with Huss, and on this episode we cover mental skills, the media, finance, business and the mantras I live by. It was great to share my experiences with Huss and I hope it can help.


Rundown
00:15 - We start by chatting about the mental side of the game and the skills and techniques I have acquired during my career
15:30 - The media play a huge role for current cricketers, so I talk about how I dealt with the media and offer some advice to aspiring players
22:05 - The lessons I have learnt from a finance, investment and business have been tough and many, but I am so glad I can share what I went through
39:48 - The two main mantras I live my life by, which have come from a school teacher and my mother
47:15 - I've been lucky to meet so many inspiring people and here I name two have really made an impact on my life
50:41 - I love to read, so to close out my chat with Huss I talk about a few of the books that I have found to be insightful
 
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This is a special episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats where the tables are turned! Over two parts, it's my turn to share the lessons I have learnt over my life and career, with champion Aussie batsman and good mate Mike Hussey picking my brain. I've soaked up so much golden information over the years and can't wait to discuss what I've discovered along the journey. Part One touches on batting, bowling, catching and fitness, while Part Two (available now) features the mental side of the game, the media, finance and other life lessons. I hope you enjoy my chat with Huss. 


Rundown
04:00 - Huss and I begin by talking about highlights and favourite moments from my career
12:00 - I go in depth about the batting techniques I have used throughout my career and how my batting has evolved
23:45 - We then move on to bowling and how I had to change from bowling as fast as I could to relying more on the skills I developed
32:43 - How I worked on my catching and my routines for every ball
36:36 - Here I talk about fitness, my injury history and how I believe cricket-specific exercises should be encouraged
 
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When it comes to trailblazers in women's cricket there are few who have achieved more or made a bigger impact than Belinda Clark. As a player, BC was unparalleled. She became the first player - male or female - to score 200 in an one-day international and captained Australia to two World Cup wins. BC's post-playing career has been in sports administration, primarily with Cricket Australia in developing grassroots and women's cricket. It truly is an honour to speak to Belinda and I hope you get out of it as much as I did.


Episode rundown
01:38 - BC's incredible achievements 
04:08 - BC lists her career highlights
06:43 - How BC honed her batting technique
12:55 - Whether BC would have changed her fitness regime during her playing days
16:48 - The art of leadership
20:46 - The mental skills BC uses
31:13 - How BC handled the media
35:15 - BC talks about finance and investment 
40:58 - Growing the game
45:22 - The life mantra BC lives by
47:07 - The best books BC has read
49:08 - The most inspiring person BC has met
 
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One of the highlights of my career was opening the batting with Simon Katich and I'm thrilled to have him on this week's episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats. Kat was one of the toughest and most resilient players to don the Baggy Green and loved getting into the contest, which I know as both his teammate and opponent. Kat's insights into batting, coaching and the mental side of the game make this a must-listen for any aspiring cricketer or athlete and I am so grateful to have him share his experiences. Enjoy.


Episode rundown
01:17 - Batting with Kat and my favourite knock of his
05:32 - Kat's personal and team career highloights
12:02 - The batting techniques Kat used to have success
21:36 - The fitness side of the game and the lessons Kat learnt
34:03 - Kat's experiences as a coach
39:04 - The mental skills Kat used and developed 
1:00:36 - How Kat handled the media and his role as a commentator 
1:06:02 - Kat's financial and investment philosophy 
1:14:52 - The mantra Kat uses to get through the tough times life dishes up
1:20:58 - The inspiring people Kat has met
1:24:43 - The standout books Kat has read


Youtube Link


Kat's 122 vs England at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff in the 2009 Ashes Series - https://youtu.be/hZhuyirwNpg
 
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