Cricket Matters: Performance Engineering & Injury Management

In this episode, we dive into the four essential tests we use to screen cricketers for technical deficiencies. These simple yet powerful assessments reveal hidden weaknesses and help athletes improve their balance, movement, and power. You'll Learn: The balance, movement, and power assessments that identify performance limitations and injury risks. How vision, vestibular, and proprioceptive s...

On this episode, we dive into what it means to be a durable performer. We discuss why reliability and consistency often outweigh raw talent in sports and explore the traits that make athletes like Bruno Fernandes and James Tarkowski indispensable. Whether you're a budding cricketer or just looking to improve your longevity in the game, this episode is for you. You'll Learn: What makes an...

In this episode, we break down the athleticism of Glenn Phillips, arguably the world's best fielder. We analyze what makes him such a phenomenal athlete and how his background in gymnastics, goalkeeping, and even aviation has contributed to his elite movement skills. You'll Learn: What sets Glenn apart from other cricketers, from his agility to his ability to reuse energy efficiently. Ho...

In this episode, we’re diving into an important question: Are you broken, breaking, or balanced? We'll explore how movement screening helps prevent injuries, optimize performance, and keep athletes in top shape. You'll Learn: The difference between being broken, breaking, and balanced, and why identifying which category you fall into is crucial for performance and longevity. How FMS asse...

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Zone 2 training for cricketers - a beginner’s guide to understanding its importance. We’ll break down why Zone 2 training is crucial for endurance, fat oxidation, and overall performance, helping you train smarter, not harder. You’ll Learn: What Zone 2 is, how to measure it, and why it’s an essential part of cardiovascular fitness for cricketers. How train...

In this episode, we dive into WWS - three non-negotiable habits for cricketing success: Walk, Water, Sleep. These might sound simple, but trust us, most people don’t track them properly. We break down why these habits are essential for performance, how they impact recovery, and how small changes can lead to big results. You'll Learn: The Importance of Walking – Discover why walking is crucial...

In this episode, we dive deep into the five key areas that can transform your batting performance. Whether you’re a seasoned cricketer or just picking up a bat (like Josh, not knowing if he’s left or right-handed), we share valuable insights to take your game to the next level. You'll Learn: How factors like fitness, breathing capacity, and overall well-being directly impact your technique an...

In this episode, we introduce the Complete Cricketer Performance System , a game-changing framework designed to help cricketers maximize their potential. Instead of focusing solely on technique, we break down five key pillars that influence performance, starting with the fundamentals that most players overlook. You'll Learn: Why Technique Isn’t Everything – Many cricketers believe technique i...

Welcome to the Cricket Matters podcast! Today, we're diving deep into the world of cricket bats—specifically, how bat weight and shape impact your technique. If you've ever wondered whether your bat is helping or hurting your game, this episode will give you the insights you need. You'll Learn: The Role of Bat Weight in Your Technique – A bat that's too heavy can force you to r...

In this episode, we dive into the ongoing debate about whether skill and discipline or fitness levels are to blame for England's recent defeat in Australia.  We explore the nuances of athletic performance, discussing how discipline, fitness, and skill intersect to create elite athletes.  You'll Learn: How fitness influences skill development, agility, and decision-making under pressure....

In this episode, we share our experience working with the German women's cricket team, where we assessed athleticism and identified key areas for improvement. From last-minute passport scares to game-changing fitness insights, we take you behind the scenes of our journey to Germany and how we revamped our assessment methods for female cricketers. You’ll Learn: Our streamlined approach to eval...

We’re back! After a two-month break, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to refine our training methods, and take on an exciting new role. In this episode, we’ll share what we’ve been up to, including a major update on our revamped training system and our new partnership with the German National Women’s Cricket Team. Plus, we’ll give you a sneak peek at the exciting content we have planned f...

In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive into the fascinating connection between tight lats and poor batting performance. With insights ranging from anatomy to practical exercises, they explore how addressing this common issue can transform your game. Whether you're a weekend player or a serious cricketer, this episode is a must-listen! You'll Learn: The role of the latissimus...

In this episode of, Josh and James explore a surprising factor in improving your batting performance: your neck. They delve into why physical traits like neck mobility and alignment are crucial for batting, complementing their prior discussion on the importance of physical readiness before focusing on technique. You'll Learn: How restricted neck rotation or alignment impacts key aspects of ba...

In this episode of the Cricket Matters Podcast, Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive into why movement quality should take precedence over technique in cricket. They explore the impact of physical traits on performance, injury prevention, and coaching strategies, with real-life examples to illustrate their points. You'll Learn: How movement quality directly affects performance and serves as a p...

In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese explore the critical role of core strength in enhancing cricket performance. They dive into how a strong core powers your game, reduces injury risk, and connects your upper and lower body for better movement and control. You’ll Learn: How core strength amplifies your power, enabling harder hits, faster bowling, and improved accuracy. It’s not just abo...

In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive into the essential role of lower body strength in cricket. They discuss the limitations of traditional barbell squats for cricketers and present a tailored approach to developing leg strength, agility, and power for optimal performance on the field. You'll Learn: Traditional barbell squats can compromise mobility and lead to injuries. Learn...

In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese welcome back Kent coach Toby Radford to explore his article in Wisden Magazine . Toby shares fascinating insights into why left-handed batsmen are outperforming their right-handed counterparts in county cricket and how the data could reshape training and strategies in the game. You'll Learn: The stats revealing left-handers' superior perform...

Welcome to another episode! Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive into the often-overlooked importance of warm-ups and cool-downs in cricket, especially when it comes to injury prevention. They explore key strategies and actionable tips backed by research to help cricketers stay fit and perform at their best. You'll Learn: How a strategic 15-20 minute warm-up can reduce injuries by 36.6% and why...

In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese discuss proven off-season weight loss strategies for cricketers. James shares his personal journey of shedding weight while maintaining performance, along with actionable tips that cricketers of all levels can implement. You’ll Learn: Why "you can’t out-train a bad diet" and how understanding your maintenance calories sets the foundation for...

In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive deep into the world of explosive strength and power for cricket. They discuss why explosiveness is critical for cricketers at every level and explore practical exercises and strategies to build dynamic power effectively. You’ll Learn: How explosiveness impacts batting, bowling, and fielding, and why dynamic movement is essential in modern cricket...

In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive into the essentials of strength training for cricketers. They break down the misconceptions, strategies, and vital movements necessary for optimal athletic performance on the field. You’ll Learn:  Why it’s crucial to master proper movement patterns before adding weight, to avoid injuries and maximize strength gains. The distinctions between train...

In this episode of the Cricket Matters podcast, Josh and James delve into the concept of the "flow state" and how cricketers can harness it to elevate their performance. Drawing from both sports and psychology, the discussion focuses on the mental and physical aspects of getting "in the zone." You'll Learn: About the flow state as described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszent...

In this episode of the Cricket Matters Podcast, Josh Kennedy and James Breese discuss the importance of running workouts for cricketers to improve endurance. They break down the different running strategies for players at various positions and how these workouts contribute to better overall performance on the field. You’ll Learn: Why building endurance is critical for cricketers, from running betw...

Host Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive into the importance of maintaining a quiet mind while batting. They explore the mental challenges cricketers face on the field and share techniques to help batters stay calm and focused. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights to enhance your mental game. You'll Learn: How to cope with...