In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, we’re joined by former Kent and Nottinghamshire spinner and leading coach Rob Ferley.

We explore why spin bowling is struggling in England, what makes a spinner effective in matches (not just in nets), and how coaching, environments, and captaincy all shape development.

Rob also shares his thinking behind Square One Cricket — a new initiative aiming to rethink how players learn and progress in the game.

In this episode:

• What actually makes a good spinner (beyond technique)
• The psychological challenges spinners face — and why they’re often misunderstood
• Why spinners struggle to transfer performance from nets to matches
• How captains can get more (or less) out of their spinners
• What we’re getting right — and wrong — in coaching spin
• Practical advice for young spinners looking to improve
• Inside Square One Cricket and its vision for the future

Timestamps

00:00 – Spin bowling in England is “in a bit of a pickle"

00:42 – Introducing Rob Ferley

04:24 – What makes a good spinner?

08:14 – Progression, passion, and development environments

18:49 – Psychological challenges of spin & managing pressure

23:58 – Getting hit as a spinner: thoughts, feelings, behaviour

27:38 – Do captains get the best out of spinners?

40:17 – How should we coach and develop young spinners?

49:52 – The art vs science of spin bowling

55:22 – Square One Cricket: concept and vision

🔗 Get in touch / Links

🌐 Website: https://www.cricketmind.online

📩 Email: nathan@cricketmind.online

📱 Instagram: cricket.mind.online

Square One Cricket:

https://squareoneeducation.co.uk

🎧 Enjoyed the episode?

If you found this helpful, make sure you subscribe to The Cricket Mind Podcast and leave a rating or review — it really helps us grow and reach more players, parents, and coaches.

In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock speak to Cheshire-based all-rounder and Loughborough student Rohan Luthra, who is currently finding his way through the game.

Rohan is studying at Loughborough University and has recently had a taste of Cheshire 1st XI cricket, as he looks to establish himself at that level.

From early success and setbacks to playing across different environments — including time spent training in India — this is an honest conversation about what it takes to keep improving in the game.

In this episode:

• What progression in cricket really looks like
• Learning from early success and setbacks
• The experience of stepping into senior cricket
• Adapting across different teams and environments
• Lessons from training and playing in India
• Understanding performance beyond just results
• Managing confidence and expectations
• The realities of developing as a young cricketer

Chapters

00:00 – Breaking through: pressure & reality

01:01 – Early journey: Loughborough, Cheshire & first-team exposure

03:39 – Early success & chasing a “formula”

06:42 – Setbacks, deselection & proving yourself

17:15 – Ambition, progression & long-term thinking

27:20 – Stepping into Cheshire first team cricket

31:56 – Life as a club pro: pressure, expectations & performance

44:42 – Learning from the top: India Test team experience

53:33 – Training in India: volume, repetition & development

59:54 – Managing performance, mindset & multiple team

01:09:14 – Advice for young players & final reflections

Enjoying the podcast?

If you’re finding these episodes useful:

• Follow / Subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes
• Leave a rating and review — it really helps more people find the show

Get in touch / Send in your questions

We’d love to hear from you:

🌐 www.cricketmind.online

📧 nathan@cricketmind.online

📸 Instagram: @cricket.mind.online

📘 Facebook: /cricket.mind.online

🎧 Next episode

Former Kent spinner and Level 4 coach Rob Ferley joins us to talk all things spin — from technique and mindset to how to coach and captain spin bowlers.

In this episode of the Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock answer listener questions from players, parents and coaches — exploring why mistakes feel so heavy, and how to handle them better.

From the pressure of public stats to the emotional fallout of getting out, this episode tackles some of the most common — and challenging — moments in cricket.

The conversation covers:

1. The pressure of public stats and feeling judged
2. What coaches should (and shouldn’t) say after mistakes
3. Supporting young players through frustration and disappointment
4. Managing conflicting advice from multiple coaches
5. Helping children transition from softball to hardball cricket

A practical, honest discussion to help you think differently about performance, development, and the environments we create around the game.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Opening hook

00:20 – Introduction

01:03 – Q1: Feeling judged by public stats (Play Cricket)

09:10 – Q2: How coaches should respond to mistakes

14:23 – Q3: Managing emotions after getting out

20:55 – Q4: Conflicting advice from multiple coaches

30:09 – Q5: Fear of hardball cricket in young players

38:00 – Reflections on fear & transition to hardball

38:44 – Episode wrap-up begins

39:00 – Next episode preview (Rohan Luthra)

🔗 Follow & Connect

🌐 www.cricketmind.online

📧 nathan@cricketmind.online

📱 Instagram: @cricket.mind.online

📱 Facebook: @cricket.mind.online

⭐ Enjoying the podcast?

If you found this episode helpful, make sure you’re following the show on your preferred platform so you don’t miss future episodes.

And if you’re able to leave a quick rating and review, it really helps more people find the podcast.

In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood is joined by Paul Tweddle, Assistant Coach and Fielding Coach at Somerset CCC, to explore why fielding mistakes happen — even at the top level — and what players can do about them.

From the psychology of dropped catches to the habits and training methods used in professional cricket, this episode breaks down what separates reliable fielders from inconsistent ones.

Episode Chapters

00:00 A dropped catch and the psychology of fielding

01:49 Introducing Paul Tweddle

05:19 Why fielding mistakes affect confidence

08:49 Fundamentals vs mindset in fielding

12:46 What elite fielders do differently

17:56 Communication and energy in the field

23:57 Fielding culture in professional teams

31:31 How professional teams train fielding

40:46 Can anyone become a good fielder?

53:50 Fielding and selection in the modern game

58:47 The future of fielding

Online Workshop – Making Pre-Season Count

If you’re a young cricketer preparing for the upcoming season, we’re running an online workshop designed to help players prepare properly for the year ahead.

Making Pre-Season Count is a one-hour session covering:

• How to structure your pre-season training

• How to prepare mentally for the season ahead

• How to build confidence before your first match

🎟 Places cost £25

Book your place here:

www.cricketmind.online/events

Send Us Your Questions

Next week Briony Brock returns to the podcast and we’ll be answering listener questions.

If there’s something you’d like us to discuss on the show, you can send your questions via:

Website: www.cricketmind.online

Email: nathan@cricketmind.online

Instagram: @cricket.mind.online

Facebook: @cricket.mind.online

Subscribe to The Cricket Mind Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a rating or review on your podcast platform. It helps more players, coaches and parents discover the show.

In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock are joined by former England international cricketer and coach Laura MacLeod.

Laura represented England for over a decade and was part of the 2005 Ashes-winning squad. Since retiring she has held senior leadership roles in the women’s game, including Head of Women’s Cricket at Warwickshire.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore:

1. Why girls often drop out of sport in their teenage years
2. The challenges of transitioning from softball to hardball cricket
3. How clubs can genuinely prioritise girls’ cricket
4. The realities of coaching in the professional women’s game
5. What Laura’s research revealed about female coaching pathways

This episode is essential listening for players, parents, coaches and anyone interested in the future of women’s cricket.

Timestamps

00:00 – Why girls drop out of sport

01:17 – Introducing Laura MacLeod

02:23 – Laura’s England debut in 1997

06:48 – From pace bowler to opening batter

14:13 – Growth and professionalisation of women’s cricket

20:45 – Balancing cricket careers with education and life after sport

26:55 – Helping girls transition from softball to hardball

31:04 – Keeping cricket fun in performance environments

34:06 – Softball vs hardball pathways in club cricket

39:05 – Challenges women face in cricket that aren’t often discussed

47:32 – What great clubs do differently for girls’ cricket

55:05 – Laura’s research on female coaches in professional sport

01:07:14 – Advice for women aspiring to coach

01:10:34 – Identity and life beyond elite cricket

01:16:30 – The future of women’s cricket

01:21:34 – Online workshop: Making Cricket Pre-Season Count

Workshop: Making Cricket Pre-Season Count

Nathan, Briony and Ben Silver are hosting a live online workshop for ambitious cricketers aged 13–18 preparing for the upcoming season.

In this session players will learn:

• How to structure nets with purpose

• How practice transfers into match performance

• How to approach pre-season with clarity rather than guesswork

• Practical actions to improve their training immediately

The session also includes a live Q&A where players can ask their own questions.

👉 Book your place here:

www.cricketmind.online/events

We explore the difference between personality and character — and why that distinction matters so much in cricket.

From young players navigating selection, to parents shaping development, to captains and coaches leading under pressure — this is a conversation about values, behaviour and sustainable performance.

We also unpack John’s powerful phrase: “ego kills eco” — and what that means for teams, organisations and the long-term health of the game.

If you care about developing better cricketers and better leaders, this one’s for you.

⏱ Timestamps

00:03 – Pulp Fiction

01:06 – Introducing John Neal

01:45 – Formal Guest Welcome

03:20 – Personality vs Character Defined

07:52 – Understanding Your Own Character

13:29 – For Young Players: How Do You Know?

19:51 – Do We Overvalue Personality?

24:14 – Parents & Character Development

28:19 – When a Child Gets Dropped

33:19 – Character in Coaches Under Pressure

38:22 – “Ego Kills Eco” Explained

46:35 – Do Organisations Really Have Values?

56:46 – Quick Fire: Character Defined

58:35 – The Uncomfortable Truth About Modern Sport

59:50 – Closing Reflections

1:00:14 – Independent Professional Sports Coach Association

1:02:14 – Episode Close & Next Week Preview

📩 Get In Touch

If this episode sparked a thought or question, we’d love to hear from you:

📧 nathan@cricketmind.online

🌐 www.cricketmind.online

📘 Facebook: cricket.mind.online

📸 Instagram: cricket.mind.online

And if you’re enjoying the podcast, please do take 30 seconds to rate and review the show — it really helps us spread the word.

In this solo episode, Nathan Wood explores one of the most common frustrations in the game: the gap between training performance and match performance.

You’ll learn:

1. Why nets and matches demand different skills
2. Why “more nets” isn’t always the solution
3. How to train decision-making under pressure
4. The difference between fragile and resilient confidence
5. How environment shapes sporting resilience

Whether you’re a teenage cricketer, a parent navigating confidence dips, or a coach wanting training to transfer into real performance — this episode is for you.

Send In Your Questions

If you’d like your question answered on the podcast:

🌐 www.cricketmind.online

📧 nathan@cricketmind.online

📘 Facebook: @cricket.mind.online

📸 Instagram: @cricket.mind.online

We read every message — and these episodes are shaped by what you’re actually experiencing.

In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock are joined by World Cup-winning coach Alastair Maiden to explore how batting philosophy shapes performance in cricket.

Ali has coached across county cricket, England Women’s international cricket (including the 2017 World Cup win), and franchise cricket with Birmingham Phoenix. This is a deep, practical conversation on how batters really develop — technically, mentally and culturally.In This Episode

1. Individual difference in batting
2. Naturalness, rhythm and flow
3. Managing expectation and pressure
4. Coaching men vs women
5. Talent ID beyond averages
6. Competitiveness vs statistics
7. Developing batters through game-based training
8. Why young players should start with the bat on the floor

Plus listener questions on:

1. Steve Smith’s pre-ball routine
2. Whether it’s possible to “make it” without financial backing

Timestamps

00:00 – Why Batting Is So Complex

02:00 – Alastair Maiden’s Coaching Journey

08:00 – Playing Career & Turning to Coaching

14:30 – Individual Difference in Batting

23:00 – Coaching Men vs Women

29:30 – The Mental Demands of Batting

41:00 – Positive Intent & “Green Light” Running

52:00 – Training with Context

54:30 – Talent ID & What Stands Out

57:30 – Competitors vs Achievers

1:01:00 – Advice for Young Batters

1:03:00 – “Bat on the Floor” Coaching Philosophy

1:07:00 – Listener Question: Making It Without Money

1:09:45 – Listener Question: Steve Smith’s Routine

1:12:00 – Closing Thoughts

Got a question or topic idea?

We love hearing from listeners.

Email: nathan@cricketmind.online

Website: https://www.cricketmind.online

Connect with Cricket Mind Online

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cricket.mind.online/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cricket.mind.online/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-wood-coaching/

In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock are joined by Ian Pont, founder of the National Fast Bowling Academy (NFBA), to explore the physical, technical and mental demands of fast bowling in cricket.

Drawing on decades of experience as a former professional fast bowler, international coach and biomechanical specialist, Ian explains why pace alone isn’t enough — and how poor preparation, overload and technique issues often lead to injury.

In this episode:

1. Why fast bowling breaks so many bodies
2. The difference between bowling fast and bowling well
3. How technique and workload contribute to injury risk
4. Why fast bowlers need specialist coaching environments
5. The mental demands unique to fast bowlers
6. When chasing pace helps — and when it hurts
7. How parents and coaches can better support young players

⏱️ Episode Chapters & Timestamps

1. 00:00 Listener questions: mindset support & training volume
2. 05:16 Introducing Ian Pont
3. 07:00 The cricket ball throwing record
4. 11:00 How Ian’s playing career shaped his coaching philosophy
5. 17:30 Style vs structure in fast bowling
6. 22:00 The brutal physical demands of fast bowling
7. 29:00 Why fast bowlers need specialist preparation
8. 33:00 Why the National Fast Bowling Academy exists
9. 43:30 The mental demands of fast bowling
10. 54:30 Visualisation, confidence & pressure moments
11. 1:06:30 Chasing pace vs longevity
12. 1:13:00 Advice for young fast bowlers
13. 1:19:30 Learning more about the NFBA

🔗 Useful Links

National Fast Bowling Academy (NFBA)

https://www.nfbacricket.com

Cricket Mind Online

https://www.cricketmind.online

📩 Questions or topic ideas?

Email: nathan@cricketmind.online

📱 Connect with Cricket Mind Online

1. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cricket.mind.online/
2. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cricket.mind.online/
3. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-wood-coaching/

In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock explore why mistakes can linger in your mind — and what actually helps you reset and move on.

Drawing on real examples from junior cricket through to the professional game, this episode looks at:

• Why resilience is about recovery, not pretending you’re fine

• The difference between strength and emotional adaptability

• How unprocessed emotions show up later as anger, fear, or loss of confidence

• Why crying and anger are signals, not weaknesses

• How boys and girls are often taught resilience differently

• What coaches and parents can do to support resilience without blocking it

• How long resilience takes to develop — and what progress actually looks like

This is a practical, honest conversation for players, parents, and coaches who want to help cricketers recover better from mistakes, pressure, and disappointment — both on and off the field.

Send in your questions or topic ideas for future episodes:

🌐 Website: https://www.cricketmind.online

📧 Email: nathan@cricketmind.online

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cricket.mind.online/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cricket.mind.online

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-wood-coaching/

In this first episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock explore why cricket is such a uniquely mental game — and why an over-focus on technique can sometimes hold players back.

Using insights from the Ashes, they unpack how mindset shapes performance at every level, from junior cricket to the international stage, and what players, parents and coaches can learn about preparation, adaptability and handling pressure.

In this episode:

1. Why cricket places unique psychological demands on players
2. When technique helps — and when it holds players back
3. The pressures facing young cricketers in modern systems
4. Confidence, resilience and independent thinking
5. Self-talk, visualisation and common mental traps
6. Lessons from the Ashes: adaptability, leadership and preparation

Who this is for

Players, parents and coaches who want to understand performance in cricket beyond technique alone — and help cricketers think, prepare and perform more effectively.

This short trailer introduces a podcast focused on the mental, tactical, and human side of cricket — through honest, long-form conversations rather than soundbites or slogans.

Hosted by Nathan Wood (ex Lancashire cricketer, former Head of Coach Development for England Cricket, and ECB Level 4 coach), alongside Briony Brock (mindset coach and current player), the podcast explores the challenges cricketers at all levels face. From managing nerves and pressure, to responding to mistakes and performing with freedom, the conversations are practical, grounded, and rooted in real experience.

There’s no jargon, no judgement, and no hype. Just clear thinking, useful tools, and thoughtful discussion designed to help players, coaches, and parents better understand the mental side of the game.

Subscribe now — with full episodes coming soon.