Cricket Mind Podcast

A duck can feel much bigger than it looks on a scorecard. In this episode of the Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock answer real questions from parents of young cricketers: what to say after another duck, how to help when a child puts huge pressure on themselves, and how to support them through the inevitable highs and lows of the game. They discuss how parents can be a steady sourc...

What helps some young cricketers grow through adversity while others become stuck? Why do some players lose confidence after a setback, while others use it as a catalyst for improvement? In this episode of the Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood is joined by Faisal Shahid, Academy Manager for Warwickshire Women, to explore the psychology of long-term player development. Drawing on his experiences as...

Why do so many talented young cricketers stop enjoying the game? And do players really need to be in a talent pathway from a young age to have a realistic chance of becoming a professional cricketer? In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock are joined by ECB Level 4 coach and coach developer Ben Silver for an honest conversation about talent pathways, cricket trial...

Why do some players stay in cricket for years… while others quietly drift away? In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock are joined by coach Laura de Silva and player Charlotte Bernstein for a powerful conversation about confidence, pressure, enjoyment, and the environments that keep players coming back. This episode offers a unique perspective from both sides of t...

Why do so many cricketers perform well in nets… but struggle in matches? In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast , Nathan Wood and Briony Brock answer listener questions around early-season performance struggles — from confidence and expectations to training that doesn’t transfer into games. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve “gone backwards” despite a strong winter, this episode will help you un...

Why is wicketkeeping often described as a “dark art”… and why is there nowhere to hide when things go wrong? 🎙️ Episode Summary In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock are joined by Lancashire cricketer Ellie Threlkeld to explore the mental demands of wicketkeeping. Ellie shares her experiences of keeping and captaining at the highest level — from managing concent...

Spin bowling in England is in trouble — so what actually needs to change? 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...

The journey through cricket is rarely straightforward. 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...

Why does one bad innings ruin your whole week? 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...

Why do good fielders still drop simple catches? 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 episo...

How do we keep more girls playing cricket — and what actually works? 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 Hea...

In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast , we’re joined by performance psychologist and former Head of Coach Development at the ECB, John Neal. 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 conver...

Why do some cricketers look brilliant in the nets — but struggle to perform in matches? 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: Why nets and matches demand different skills Why “more nets” isn’t always the solution How to train decision-making under pressure The difference...

How do good batters actually think, train and perform under pressure? 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 w...

Why is fast bowling so brutal — and why do so many fast bowlers break down? 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...

Why do some players struggle to let go of a mistake? 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 differen...

What does the Ashes teach us about mindset, technique and performing under pressure in cricket? 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...

Welcome to The Cricket Mind Podcast. 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), th...