Today's guest on this episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats is a true batting technician and one of my favourite teammates, Chris 'Bucky' Rogers. Bucky was a run machine as a left-handed opening batsmen, compiling more than 25,000 runs and 76 centuries at first-class level, not to mention his 25 Tests in the Baggy Green. It's why there is perhaps nobody better to talk batting technique and the mental side of batting than Bucky, who shares the lessons he has learned across his playing and coaching careers. Bucky also shares his experiences with the media, investing and the inspiring people he has met in this fascinating chat. I hope you enjoy it.

Episode Rundown

02:30 - We start with an honest declaration: Bucky and I didn't see eye-to-eye when we first met but when he returned to the Test team in 2013 we hit it off and became great mates. Here we remember that first meeting before talking about Bucky's career highlights.

12:45 - Bucky then shares his expertise in the art of batting and how he found what worked for him.

28:08 - The mental side of batting is just as important as the technical side so here we go in deeper into the methods Bucky used.

39:15 - Bucky has been on either side of the media and here he shares his experiences.

44:52 - Here we speak about investing and what Bucky would have done differently if he had his time again.

50:00 - The mantras and sayings Bucky lives by.

55:31 - The inspiring people Bucky has met.

59:50 - We finish with Bucky sharing the books that have had the most impact on him.

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Today's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats is a true warrior, Andy Bichel. Bic is Australia's most celebrated 12th man but when he got on the park he was a beast of an allrounder. I'll never forget his 2003 World Cup campaign in South Africa, where he played the perfect game against England to bring his country back from the brink twice. There were fewer fitter, stronger fast bowlers than Bic in his time in the game and in this episode he shares his fitness methods, how he captured more than 750 first-class wickets, developed his mental edge and fell in love with coaching. It was a great chat and I hope you enjoy it.

Episode Rundown

02:50 - We start by talking about Bics' career highlights, from the 2003 World Cup to all the success he has enjoyed with various teams all over the world

09:04 - Bic talks about fast bowling and how he needed a mid-match adjustment to get his groove back

15:28 - Bic was built out of stone and here he shares how he got to be so durable

24:32 - Bic then speaks about the mental side of the game and the advice his uncle gave him

39:12 - Here Bic talks about his relationship with the media

45:!5 - We then talk about the financial side of life and how Bic has handled the business world

52:48 - The mantras Bic lives by

1:01:23 - We finish with the inspiring people Bic has met and the books that have had an impact on him

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During the late 1980s and '90s there was no fast bowler mimicked more in the backyard than today's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats, Merv Hughes. Merv was part of the trailblazing group under Allan Border that led Australia out of the doldrums to the top of the world. His aggression, attitude and serious skill led Merv to take 212 Test wickets for his country along with hundreds more for his beloved Victoria. In this episode, Merv talks about his beginnings, the advice that has stuck with him to this day and how he became one of Australia's most successful and revered fast bowlers. I hope you enjoy it.

Episode rundown:

01:22 - Merv had a brilliant international career and we start by chatting about a couple of his highlights, from taking on the mighty Windies to the historic '89 Ashes series in England

07:25 - We then dig into the technical side of fast bowling and what worked for Merv

10:02 - Next Merv talks about the mental side of the game and how he developed his mental skills

14:37 - We move back to the technical side to discuss what Merv focused on during play

19:29 - Merv played a lot of high-level cricket and to do that he had to stay as fit as possible. While he admits he carried a bit of extra weight, Merv explains how he became the hardest trainer in any team he represented

25:02 - Here Merv talks about the best version of himself and goes on to talk about how aspiring players are being over-coached at a young age

39:50 - Merv has been on both sides of the media and here he shares his experiences of how times have changed

47:09 - We next move off the field to how Merv has invested and handled his finances

58:53 - Merv shares the mantras he lives by

1:04:32 - We finish with the inspiring people Merv has met and the books that have had an impact on him

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Michael Vaughan is today's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats, a former England captain, No.1 Test batter in the world and one of the sharpest cricket minds in the game. Vaughany was a master technician with the bat, carving up Australia in the 2002-03 Ashes series and a few years later was the inspirational leader of England's epic 2005 Ashes victory. In this episode, Vaughany shares his brilliant insight into leadership, batting and his endeavours off the field. It's not to be missed for any aspiring captain or batter.

Episode Rundown

01:08 - We start by discussing India's dramatic series win over Australia, which might have surpassed the 2005 Ashes on the list of great Test match series

04:30 - We then move into Vaughany's career highlights, from the 2002-03 Ashes to the epic in 2005 before Michael delves into leadership. I found how Vaughany managed his players and his philosophies on leadership, not to mention some colourful advice from his father, absolutely fascinating

28:16 - Vaughany then talks batting and how he discovered his trigger movement and a game he played with himself to stay focused 

42:06 - Vaughany talks about how he managed his body during his career and the one thing he wishes he did more

45:15 - Here we discuss the mental side of the game and how Vaughany developed his skills

51:46 - Vaughany has a unique perspective on the media having been on both sides of the microphone and here he shares his experiences

58:35 - We talk about the financial side of life and how a night on the drink with a few of his mates led to Vaughny starting a new business

1:07:47 - The mantras Vaughany lives by

1:12:52 - We finish with the inspirational people Vaughany has met and the books he would recommend

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Our first guest of 2021 is one of my old teammates and one of the most skilled fast bowlers I have ever played with, Ryan Harris. Ryno came into international cricket late in his career but boy, he didn't waste any time making an impact and helped Australia win the 2013-14 Ashes and the following series in South Africa. Since his retirement in 2015, Ryno has turned his attention towards coaching and on this episode he shares the invaluable lessons he has learnt as a player and a coach. 

Episode rundown

02:58 - We start by talking through Ryno's career highlights, namely the 2013-14 Ashes and 2014 tour of South Africa

13:14 - Ryno was a master of his craft and here he explains what worked for him and his technical checklist

22:18 - Managing injury is part and parcel of being a fast bowler and here is how Ryno looked after his body

30:09 - We then talk about the mental side of the game and how Ryno had to develop and work on his mental skills throughout his career

42:13 - Having suffered a number of setbacks in his playing days, Ryno learnt different ways to deals with each challenge

48:01 - We discuss how Ryno handled the media and his advice for aspiring players using social media

54:20 - Ryno talks about how he has handled his income and what he would change if he had his time over again

1:01:20 - Here Ryno talks about the mantra he lives by

1:05:56 - The inspiring people Ryno has met

1:11:34 - We finish with Ryno discussing his favourite documentaries

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On this episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats you will hear from six greats – Stephen Fleming, Mike Hussey, Simon Katich, Harbhajan Singh, Dean Jones and Brett Lee – about the mantras they live by and the life lessons they have learnt. One thing I have learnt over the years is that life isn't a fairytale. There are tough times, down times, times when things can go from good to not so good instantly. This happens to people in all walks of life, including the legends of the game who have achieved incredible things.

Episode Rundown

00:55 - Stephen Fleming

04:45 - Mike Hussey

08:51 - Simon Katich

12:32 - Harbajhan Singh

16:39 - Dean Jones

25:17 - Brett Lee

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Today is a special episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats, focusing on the mental side of the game. I've been lucky enough to speak to some of the games greatest players about how they developed their mental skills and what their ultimate mindset looked like. Today we hear from five legends – Shane Warne, Allan Border, Kevin Pietersen, Mike Hussey and AB de Villiers about how they handled the mental aspects of cricket. I hope you enjoy it.

Episode Rundown

00:56 - Shane Warne

09:31 - Allan Border

21:35 - Kevin Pietersen

30:44 - Mike Hussey

38:39 - AB de Villiers

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As Dean Jones is remembered at the MCG today, on Deano’s favourite day of the year, Boxing Day, I give my little tribute to my hero and good friend. I miss him so much but his legacy and impact that he had on so many people around the world will live on forever.

Rest In Peace mate.

Episode notes

03:10 - My favourite memories of Deano

04:45 - Deano's most cherished moments for Australia 

12:20 - We chat about batting and the skills Deano focused on

18:09 - Deano talks through how he became a master of running between the wickets

22:45 - The fitness side of the game

28:25 - Deano talks about the mental aspect of cricket and his tough initiation 

44:55 - How Deano has handled the media

50:52 - We chat about wealth generation and the lessons learnt in that area

1:03:50 - Deano's mantra for overcoming challenges 

1:12:35 - The advice Deano would five his younger self

1:21:31 - The influential books Deano has read

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This week on Lessons Learnt with the Greats I am lucky enough to chat to another one of my fierce Ashes rivals, Ian Bell. Belly was one of the finest and classiest batsmen I played against, particularly during the 2013 Ashes series in England where we could not get him out!. In our chat we discuss the importance of preparation, finding the right mindset, putting faith in the right people and how to handle the modern traps of a professional athlete. It was truly a privilege to speak to Belly and I hope you get out of it as much as I have.

Rundown

03:11 - After our introductions we start with Belly's career highlights, which involve two Ashes wins and a memorable series victory in India

09:18 - We move to the technical side of the game and discuss batting and how Belly became such a quality player of spin bowling

17:18 - Belly was always a fit cricketer and here he reveals the coach that pushed him to another level

21:39 - The mental side of cricket is equally as important as the physical, and here Belly explains his mindset and who he learnt from in the England team

34:48 - Belly talks about how he handled the media and the dangers social media presents to modern players

40:39 - I believe how players manage their wealth is extremely important and Belly shares how he has handled that aspect of life

46:44 - The mantra Belly lives by

48:40 - How becoming a children's ambassador gave Belly a new perspective

50:33 - We finish with the books and documentaries Belly has enjoyed

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Today's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats is a rock-solid wcketkeeper, dashing batsman and a wonderful teammate who shared a very similar ride to my own, Brad Haddin. Hadds worked as hard as anyone to become one of Australia's greatest glovemen and played a huge role in the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash and 2015 World Cup triumph. His thoughts on how he sharpened his on-field skills, altered his training regime and switched off mentally are priceless. I hope you enjoy this chat with Hadds.

Rundown

01:10 - We start by discussing a few standout highlights off Hadds's career, from his hundred in the first Test of the 2010-11 Ashes, to the 2013-15 cleansweep and 2015 World Cup win

08:38 - Then we drill into the skills aspects of cricket, starting with wicketkeeping

15:36 - Hadds was a brilliant batter in full flight and here we talk about how he did it at his best

18:01 - We moving into the fitness regime Hadds used and how it changed over time

26:35 - Here he discuss mental skills and how Hadds had a mental toughness from an early age 

43:22 - How Hadds handled the media

48:03 - We talk about life away from cricket, starting with the lessons Hadds learnt in investment 

1:00:36 - The mantra Hadds lives by

1:03:20 - The inspiring people Hadds has met

1:07:33 - We finish with the best books Hadds has read

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