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 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.

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

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.

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:

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.

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.

Batting is the most scrutinised skill in cricket.

In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock are joined by World Cup-winning coach Alastair Maiden to explore the art, science and psychology of batting.

Ali has coached across county cricket, England Women’s international cricket (including the 2017 World Cup win), and franchise cricket with Birmingham Phoenix.

This conversation goes deep into 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

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

We love hearing from listeners.

Email: nathan@cricketmind.online

Website: https://www.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/

Fast bowling is one of the most brutal roles in sport.

The physical demands are extreme. The injury risk is real. And the mental pressure can be relentless — especially for young bowlers trying to find their way.

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 what it really takes to survive — and thrive — as a fast bowler.

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 why mindset, belief, and intelligent preparation are just as important as speed.

Together, they discuss:

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

This is an essential listen for fast bowlers, parents, coaches, and anyone interested in long-term player development.

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

National Fast Bowling Academy (NFBA)

https://www.nfbacricket.com

Cricket Mind Online

Resilience is one of the most talked-about qualities in cricket — but also one of the most misunderstood.

In Episode 2 of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock explore what resilience really means in cricket, and why it’s often confused with toughness, stoicism, or simply “cracking 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 introduce the podcast and explore why cricket is such a uniquely mental game.

They discuss why an obsession with technique can sometimes hold players back, how mindset influences performance at every level, and what the recent Ashes series revealed about preparation, adaptability, and pressure.

Topics covered include:

• Why cricket places unique psychological demands on players

• Technique obsession vs performance mindset

• The pressures facing young cricketers in modern systems

• Confidence, resilience, and independent thinking

• Self-talk, visualisation, and common mental mistakes

• Lessons from the Ashes — adaptability, leadership, and preparation

This podcast is for cricketers, parents, and coaches who want to understand performance beyond technique alone.

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), 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.