The Cerebral Cricketer

Tanzim Alam
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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 mindset, thought processes, and mental resilience behind success. This podcast unpacks the cerebral side of the game - one conversation at a time. Decode The Mind, Master Your Temperament!

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Ep 33 - Italy's AJ Mosca on Their Historic World Cup Rise, Belief, Process & His Match-Winning 62*

    In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, Italy international batter AJ Mosca breaks down the journey to Italy's first ever men's T20 World Cup, the mindset behind his match-winning 62 not out against Nepal, and the adjustments needed to succeed at the highest level of the game. AJ reflects on his cricketing journey from the Sydney grade system to the international stage, and shares how years of refinement, self-awareness and preparation helped shape his game. He opens up about preparing for elite bowling attacks, developing new scoring options against both spin and pace, and learning how to stay clear, composed and decisive in high-pressure moments. The conversation also explores the mental side of batting, including AJ's in-game process, the idea of flow state, and the importance of trusting your method when the stakes are at their highest. He also speaks powerfully about what Italy's rise meant to him personally, the emotion behind that historic World Cup moment, and why representing Italy alongside his brother made it even more special. This is a fascinating conversation on mindset, adjustment, identity and performance, and a deep insight into one of the most memorable stories of Italy's rise on the world cricket stage. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:43 Childhood, family and choosing cricket 05:50 Cricket in Rome 07:31 Crazy synthetic wickets 12:40 Early coaches and batting journey 17:46 Reflection and skill development 20:03 Building the baseball swing 23:47 The mental jump to international cricket 27:20 Facing pace and spin at World Cup level 34:07 Four years of World Cup preparation 38:32 The Nepal game plan 43:07 Flow state in the 62* 45:24 AJ's batting process explained 48:44 The emotion behind the celebration 53:44 Facing England with belief 56:00 Sydney grade teammates in Italy's side 01:04:35 Learning from big names in club cricket 01:06:23 Italy's World Cup learnings

    1hr 28min

  2. 29 APR

    Ep 32 - CODE Sports' Daniel Cherny on Media, Player Narratives & Reality of Professional Cricket

    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

    1hr 12min

  3. 16 APR

    Ep 31 - USA's Shadley van Schalkwyk on the Mindset & Tactical Planning Behind His World Cup Rise

    In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, Shadley van Schalkwyk opens up like never before. He reflects on growing up in Cape Town, coming through the South African system, losing his contract, and the mindset shift that changed his career. Shadley speaks honestly about self-belief, failure, faith, God and how his wife's encouragement pushed him to go all in again, including a brutal stretch of 4am gym sessions, highly specific training, and a full year of sacrifice to give himself one more shot at the biggest stage. He also breaks down the tactical thinking and bowling plans he used at the World Cup against India and Pakistan that helped drive his success. This is a deep conversation about resilience, process, identity, and what it really takes to keep going in professional cricket. Topics include: Shadley's childhood in Cape Town  School sport, rugby, and early cricket development Losing his contract and rediscovering love for the game Self-belief, failure, and the mental side of cricket Faith, Belief in God and how it shapes his mindset 4am training, sacrifice, and preparation for the World Cup How he stayed ready when he was not expected to play Lessons from high-level cricket and life Timestamps  00:00 Intro and USA cricket 02:31 Growing up in Cape Town 06:49 Sport, failure and early lessons 08:48 Coaching and cricket development 13:41 From wicketkeeper to all-rounder 15:21 First-class debut 23:01 Advice, confidence and self-doubt 27:26 Losing his contract changed everything 32:26 Life lessons from cricket 34:41 Self-belief and handling doubt 42:52 Faith, God and letting go 48:01 First World Cup vs second World Cup 50:51 The 4am training grind 52:48 Redefining his role 56:31 Becoming a thinking cricketer 01:08:07 Recovery and body management 01:10:07 Tactical planning for India  01:20:15 Reflecting on USA's World Cup campaign 01:25:26 World Cup conversations and lessons 01:27:25 Beating Bangladesh before the World Cup 01:28:56 Facing South Africa's best

    1hr 38min

  4. 4 APR

    Ep 30 - Western Australia's Opener Joel Curtis on the Mindset Behind His Rise in Domestic Cricket

    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

    1hr 21min

  5. 27 MAR

    Ep 29 - ESPNcricinfo's Mohammad Isam Reveals the Crisis Behind Bangladesh Cricket

    In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, we are joined by ESPNcricinfo Bangladesh correspondent Mohammad Isam for a deep conversation on the real state of Bangladesh cricket. We discuss why Bangladesh continues to produce talented players but struggles to consistently develop world-class cricketers, the impact of BCB politics, poor infrastructure, weak pathways, under-19 dependence, BKSP, coaching, and the cultural issues that continue to hold Bangladesh cricket back. Mohammad Isam also shares fascinating insights on overlooked cricketers, the rise of players like Rishad Hossain, the role of coaches such as Chandika Hathurusinghe, and why Bangladesh cricket still feels trapped between potential and instability. This is one of the most honest and in-depth conversations you'll hear on Bangladesh cricket. Topics include: - Bangladesh cricket structure - BCB politics - BKSP and under-19 cricket - Why talent gets wasted - Coaching in Bangladesh cricket - Rishad Hossain and leg spin - Domestic cricket problems - The future of Bangladesh cricket 🎙 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.

    1hr 49min

  6. 8 MAR

    Ep 28 - Zimbabwe's Brad Evans Reveals His Strategies & Mindset as a Top 10 T20 Bowler in the World

    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

    1hr 50min

  7. 15 FEB

    Ep 27 - Former NZ Bowling Coach Shane Jurgensen Reveals How to Build a World-Class Pace Attack

    World Renowned Bowling Coach Shane Jurgensen joins The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast to break down the real blueprint behind a world-class pace attack. Shane shares the practical cues he used with elite quicks, how to build speed without overthinking technique, and the hidden "durability rules" that keep fast bowlers on the park. He also breaks down the behind-the-scenes strategy work, the bowling group meetings, planning fields to "bowl to your strengths", and using decoy setups when bowling to elite batters like Steve Smith and Virat Kohli. Shane also unpacks the moments that defined that era, including the World Cup final heartbreak (the "15 for 4" moment that felt like the cup was finally theirs), and what tournament cricket teaches you about momentum, luck, and composure. We discuss: - The core idea Shane drills into bowlers: "something creates something", how run-up rhythm shapes action, and action shapes power and control - A simple external-focus hack to unlock extra pace, including the keeper-glove target and what it did for Kyle Jamieson's speed - The mindset cue Shane gives his bowlers: "stay calm, play savage", and why every ball is a fresh event - Why many fast bowlers break down, and the "30% rule" Shane used for Test prep (plus how he monitored workloads across NZ) - The strength standards behind elite pace, including the squat numbers NZ quicks were hitting, and the forces going through the body at landing - Prehab habits Shane rates (therabands, medicine ball work) and why they matter for both body and mind  Timestamps  00:00:00 Intro, building a world-class pace attack 00:04:22 Early influences, why wickets matter more than just economy 00:07:29 Coaching simplification, learning from Merv Hughes 00:13:28 Keeper-glove targeting, the drill that helped Kyle Jamieson find extra pace 00:25:50 Playing journey, emotional control, "stay calm, play savage" 00:31:31 Youth Test story, "7 for 4" and what it taught him 00:33:23 Pura Cup final, 11 wickets, long spells, what those days demanded 00:36:09 Workload and injuries, the "30% rule" for Test intensity 00:50:25 Niggles vs real injury, recovery and warning signs 00:52:18 NZ bowling coach (2008–2010), Bond, Martin, Vettori, video and run-up timing 00:56:23 The Vettori camp, run-up mechanics and timing (heel strike vs toes) 01:04:02 Bangladesh stint, adapting bowling plans to conditions and people 01:21:04 Building analysis for the 2019 World Cup, leadership under Kane Williamson 01:22:48 "Decoy fields" and strategy vs Virat Kohli 01:27:15 Semi-final atmosphere in Manchester, bowling partnerships and roles 01:29:15 World Cup final prep at Lord's, plans vs Roy and Bairstow 01:35:48 The "15 for 4" moment, what coaches feel in that chaos 01:42:59 World Test Championship final, nerves and pressure inside the camp 01:44:36 Facing a 16-year-old Steve Smith, plus Warner and Khawaja memories 01:50:05 "Heavy ball" explained, why some bowlers feel uniquely dangerous 01:52:19 The bowler who impressed him most, Matt Henry, training in high-intensity blocks 01:53:13 Why Tom Blundell deserved more white-ball chances 01:54:24 Wrap up, patience, process, and winning over time

    1hr 58min

  8. 1 FEB

    Ep 26 - Afghanistan Batting Coach Toby Radford Reveals the Secret Blueprint World Class Batsmen Use

    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

    49 min
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About

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 mindset, thought processes, and mental resilience behind success. This podcast unpacks the cerebral side of the game - one conversation at a time. Decode The Mind, Master Your Temperament!

Information

  • Creator
    Tanzim Alam
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Cerebral Cricketer

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