A weekly cricket podcast exploring mindset, performance, coaching and player development.
Hosted by Nathan Wood and Briony Brock, this is a long-form conversation for players, parents and coaches who want to understand what truly shapes performance — beyond technique alone.
Mindset, preparation, decision-making and resilience are not.
The Cricket Mind Podcast explores the thinking behind performance. Each week we unpack the psychological, tactical and developmental layers of the game — what helps players thrive under pressure, how environments shape performance, and how coaches can build more adaptable cricketers.
This isn’t a highlights show.
It’s a performance conversation.
Through reflective discussion and in-depth interviews with international players, county coaches and performance specialists, we explore how the game is really learned — and what it demands at different stages of a player’s journey.
New episodes are released every week.
WHERE TO LISTEN
The Cricket Mind Podcast is available across all major platforms. You can listen in the way that suits you best.
Ex professional cricketer and former Head of Coach Development at the ECB, Nathan brings lived experience from playing and working in elite environments, with a focus on performance, adaptability and long-term player growth.
MSc Sport Psychology and mindset coach working across multiple sports. Briony specialises in performance anxiety, focus, emotional regulation and confidence in cricketers of all ages.
Together, they combine research, lived experience and coaching insight to explore the mental and performance side of the game in a grounded, practical way.
Each episode explores a specific aspect of mindset, preparation, decision-making, or performance in cricket, through long-form conversation rather than short soundbites.
Some episodes are host-led reflections. Others feature in-depth conversations with experienced guests from across the professional game.
You can listen or watch in full, or explore the complete back catalogue via the playlist.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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),…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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