A weekly performance podcast exploring mindset, decision-making and development in cricket.
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.
Former 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 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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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….
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…
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,…
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…
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