Lessons Learnt with the Greats

During his five-year Test career, nobody took more wickets than this week's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats, former England spinner Graeme Swann. Swanny was a master of his craft, spinning his country to memorable wins in Australia and India and playing a huge part in England becoming the No.1 Test team in the world. What really impressed me was Swanny's simple yet beautiful perspective on cricket and life and how he mastered off-spin bowling by trusting his gut and learning a secret weapon from an Australian great. It's a wonderful chat with my old Ashes foe and as is always the case with Swanny, there are plenty of laughs. 

Rundown

01:18 - We start by going over some of Swanny's remarkable stats and how managed the pressure of playing at the highest level

11:18 - We discuss one of Swanny's career highlights (and lowlights for my Australian team) from the 2010 Adelaide Test 

19:45 - Swanny talks off-spin and how he ignored coaching advice 

26:48 - Swanny had two cricket goals; take a five-for at Lord's and score a Test century. He achieved one and here we talk about how he'd give up 100 wickets for the other

31:55 - We chat fitness and how Swanny's troublesome elbow brought an end to his career

38:50 - Swanny talks about the mental side of the game and how he thought slip catching was the ultimate test of concentration

46:52 - Here Swanny reveals how an Aussie legend taught him the ball that brought him countless wickets

54:19 - Swanny's take on the media on either side of the fence

59:12 - We talk finance and what Swanny would have done differently 

1:03:42 - Swanny shares his life mantra and the inspiring people he has met

1:08:20 - We finish with Swanny sharing his favourite books

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In Part 2, Macca talks about his mindset and how he set lofty goals that put him up there with the greats of the game. We discuss how he dealt with the media (something I wish I had done), how he played the game for love not money before finishing with three of his favourite books and a wonderful story about Mitchell Johnson. I hope you enjoy it. 

Episode rundown

01:00 - We kick off Part 2 by discussing Macca's mindset and what he did to get the best out of himself

19:05 - Macca then reveals how he dealt with the media and how he still calls certain journalists friends to this day

28:20 - Macca played the game for love not money and shares a brilliant story about Brian Lara and his philosophy on playing the game

45:15 - Life doesn't always go to plan and here Macca shares his mantra for getting through the tough times, which he recently picked up from a Disney film

47:01 - We finish with Macca talking about the books he loves and the stories behind them

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One teammate I wish I got to know even better during my playing days was the great Stuart MacGill, this week's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats. Macca didn't care about economy rate or average, he cared about taking wickets, which he did at a strike rate few have ever matched. In Part 1, Macca talks about playing behind Shane Warne, playing under different captains, his bizarre strategy against fast bowlers (it worked on me!) and goes into great detail about the technical side of leg-spin bowling. This is a must-listen for all aspiring leggies. 

Episode rundown

01:48 - We begin by talking about how Macca dealt with playing behind Shane Warne and making sure he was always the 'next guy'

10:17 - When I was playing with and against Macca there was never a dull moment and here we discuss how he used to get under the skin of his opponents, including me!

16:12 - I go over some of Macca's incredible statistics as he explains how leadership played an important role in his career

38:43 - We dedicate the remainder of Part 1 to Macca's technical checklist and the craft of leg-spin bowling

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There are only a few bowlers who terrorised Australia like Shane Bond did and he is my next very special guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats. Only injury held him back from being labelled as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, but when he was on the park, he was one of the most potent and prolific pacemen in the world. In this episode, Bondy shares golden insights on fast bowling and his mental approach before talking about coaching and how he gets the best out of the best players. It is a fascinating chat and I hope you enjoy it.

Episode rundown

01:12 - We start by talking about Bondy's ridiculous career statistics and how he went about setting goals

07:00 - Bondy shares his personal highlights

12:50 - Bondy talks about bowling skills, technique and how he changed his action

24:10 - Fitness plays a big part in fast bowling and here Bondy shares how he stayed fit

28:16 - As one of the leading T20 coaches in the world, Bondy discusses his philosophies and learnings

35:18 - We touch on the mental side of the game

45:08 - Bondy explains why he played nice with the media but wasn't afraid to call journalists out

51:33 - Here we talk finance and investment and what Bondy has done and would have changed

1:02:46 - The life mantras Bondy lives by that were passed down from his mum

1:05:00 - The inspiring people Bondy has met

1:09:37 - We finish with the books and documentaries Bondy has enjoyed

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Mark Butcher is not just a former England batsman, although in his day he was sublime player and single-handedly won the fourth Ashes Test in 2001 at Headingley. Butch is also a polished media pundit and brilliant musician and on this episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats we take a deep dive into his cricket career and his new passions. I still remember watching him bat against Australia when I was 16 and it was a great thrill to chat to him about how he went about it and how he met one of his idols, which I am extremely jealous of! Butch was a great chat and I hope you get as much out of it as I did.

Episode rundown

01:40 - We start with Butch recalling his Ashes memories before moving onto his match-winning 173no at Headingley in 2001.

17:15 - Butch talks about team success and an incredible series in 2004 when England beat the Windies and Brian Lara scored 400 not out!

24:05 - We go into the technical side of Butch's game, starting with batting

34:30 - Butch talks catching as a terrific fielder 

37:40 - We touch on Butch's fitness regime during his playing days

40:51 - Here we discuss mental skills and how Butch tried to keep the thoughts out

56:19 - Butch talks about the media, from transitioning from a player to a pundit

1:04:33 - We discuss finance and how Butch handled his earnings from cricket

1:08:25 - Butch talks about his music career and how he's made the change

1:16:25 - The mantra Butch lives by

1:20:35 - The person who has inspired Butch the most. This is a cracking yarn!

1:24:27 - Butch shares the best books he's read

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I first knew Murali Vijay as a dangerous rival on the international stage but I've been lucky enough to play alongside him with CSK and learnt what a great player and person he truly is. I can vividly remember the times Vijay put the Australian teams I played in to the sword, and I can say it's much better having him as a friend than a foe! Vijay is a master of playing fast and spin bowling and hearing him chat about how he handles the turning ball is not to be missed. Vijay speaks so well about the mental side of cricket, his philosophies on life and playing with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar. 

Episode rundown

02:19 - Vijay and I chat through some his incredible career highlights for India and in the IPL

06:35 - We get into the technical side of the game, starting with batting and how Vijay played spin bowling

20:36 - Vijay explains his fitness regime and how he trains to cover all scenarios

22:48 - There are few better close-in fielders than Vijay and here he talks us through his method

25:31 - We delve into the mental side of cricket and how Vijay uses visualisation

34:43 - Here we cover the media and social media and how connecting with people is so important 

48:57 - Vijay explains how his father invested wisely and what he has done with his earnings

55:15 - Vijay's mantra on life

57:52 - How Sachin Tendulkar inspired Vijay

1:00:42 - We finish with the book Vijay carries with him everywhere he goes

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Dwayne 'DJ' Bravo is the ultimate cricketer, a genuine allrounder who can star with the bat, ball and in the field and it's my great privilege to speak to him on this episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats. DJ might make the game look easy but behind the scenes he is a true professional in his preparation and practice. During our fascinating chat, DJ talks all things cricket and goes in-depth about his aspirations as a music performer and producer, which serve as an inspiration for all people not just athletes. I hope you enjoy my chat with DJ, a real champion! 

Episode Rundown

03:38 - I share my favourite highlights of DJ's career, one each from Test cricket and IPL

10:05 - DJ shares his fondest on-field memories, including his maiden Test century

11:56 - We move into the technical side of the game, starting with DJ's batting

19:30 - DJ then talks about his bowling, focusing on his brilliant slower ball

25:37 - As one of the fittest players in the world, DJ shares his training regime and the exercises he does NOT do

36:07 - DJ was always excellent in the clutch moments and here he shares his mental skills

45:23 - We then move on to the media and how DJ interacts with social media

57:00 - DJ shares his experiences about finance and investment and the importance of having people to trust

1:08:03 - Here DJ discusses his passion for music and how he has followed his dreams despite being told otherwise

1:25:41 - We finish with DJ sharing the inspiring people he has met and how they have impacted his life

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It is my absolute pleasure to have an extended chat to my old adversary and now valued teammate Faf du Plessis over two episodes of Lessons Learnt with the Greats. Faf is one of South Africa's greatest batsmen and leaders and we dedicate Part 1 talking about batting, fielding and leadership, and I can honestly say this is one of the most enlightening interviews I have done to date. The way Faf explains his batting technique will be loved by casual fans and true cricket tragics (like me!) and his insight into captaincy is second to none. Part 2 is also available, covering the mental side of the game, the media and how Faf has managed his money. I hope you enjoy. 

Episode Rundown

02:00 - We start with me giving my honest first impression of Faf which could not have been more off the mark

10:53 - I share my favourite moment of Faf's stellar career - his maiden Test Century in Adelaide

18:36 - Faf then shares his career highlights 

22:44 - We take a deep dive into the technical side of batting, of there are few better to talk to about than Faf

45:25 - Faf talks about how he became a brilliant catcher and fielder

59:02 - Faf shares his fitness regime and how it has changed over time

1:10:02 - We finish Part 1 with Faf talking about the art of captaincy and how he's grown as a leader

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Part 2 of my fascinating chat with former South Africa captain and Chennai Super Kings superstar Faf du Plessis goes off field. We talk about the mental side of the game - a topic Faf and I could chat about for hours - before discussing how he worked with, not against, South Africa's media and how a chat between mates led to a boutique business. Part 1 is available now too and if you haven't already listened to it, I thoroughly recommend. 

Episode Rundown

00:41 - Part 2 starts with Faf talking about his mental toughness, a subject he and I are fascinated by and explore in great depth

29:04 - Faf then talks about how he handled the media and how he consumes news - good and bad - while he is still playing

45:12 - We talk business, finance and investment and why it is crucial to get the right advice

1:00:00 - Faf discusses how his faith helps in trying moments

1:04:40 - We finish this extraordinary chat by talking about books and I give Faf a few to add to his list

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Kevin Pietersen is the kind of batsman every player wants to emulate. Confident, aggressive, audacious, skillful - KP had it all. It's my pleasure to be able to pick his brain on this episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats to discover how he forged one of the finest cricket careers in history. Not only do we discuss the physical and mental side of the game, KP and I talk about how he handles the media, his finances and his brilliant conservation work.

Rundown

04:13 - We start by discussing KP's life-changing maiden Test century in 2005

08:22 - KP then talks about the many highlights in his career, both personally and in a team

11:11 - KP explains the keys to his batting and how he mastered spin bowling

19:44 - As one of the fittest players of his day, KP talks about his training regime and what is working for him now

24:13 - KP discusses the mental side of the game

33:51 - He is one of the world's sharpest commentators and here KP talks us through his changing interactions with the media over his life

42:32 - KP reveals how he made the most of his wealth and the important lessons he's learnt

49:31 - KP talks about his wonderful conservation work saving rhinos and his business SORAI which is helping save rhinos in Africa and India

1:00:13 - The simple mantra KP lives by

1:02:17 - The inspiring people KP has met

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