Today is a very, very special episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats. I would not be the cricketer or person I am today without the guidance and tutelage from my Cricket Academy coach when I was just a teenager, Rod Marsh. Rod is a legend as a player, forming one half of the famous Caught Marsh Bowled Lillee combination before perhaps making a larger impact as a coach and mentor once his playing days were done. Rod's insights into wicketkeeping, coaching and the mantras he lives by should not be missed.

Episode notes:

01:36 - Rod's career highlights

03:44 - The World Series Cricket days

06:35 - Rod discusses wicketkeeping techniques

17:40 - Rod reflects on his batting

24:15 - How Rod kept fit during his playing days

31:26 - Rod's coaching lessons he learnt from his time at the academy

45:26 - The mental skills Rod used

50:25 - What Rod instilled in the young cricketers at the academy

55:16 - Rod's finance philosophies

59:52 - Rod's life mantra

1:03:51 - The people who have inspired Rod

1:06:52 - The books Rod reads and how he ignited my love of books

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This week I have the pleasure of speaking to one of Australia's, Queensland's and Ipswich's finest fast bowlers, Craig McDermott. Craig debuted for Australia at just 19, earning the nickname 'Billy the Kid' and quickly discovered what worked for him at the highest level. Billy goes into how he honed his bowling skills, how he became one of the fittest players in world cricket and how he has thrived in the business world once his playing days finished. This is an awesome episode with one of the true greats of the game.

Episode rundown

01:47 - Billy talks about two of his career highlights

04:02 - How Billy hones his fast-bowling skills

13:50 - How Billy managed his body through his career

31:13 - Billy's coaching lessons learnt

33:40 - The mental skills Billy used

38:13 - How Billy interacted with the media

41:22 - Investment and financial lessons

48:55 - Billy's life mantra

52:27 - The people who have influenced Billy

57:33 - What Billy reads and watches

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Former Australian batsman and current Aussie head coach Justin Langer is this week's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats. I was lucky enough to play a few Tests with JL, one of Australia's toughest, most resilient and focused cricketers ever. In our chat, JL talks on a wide range of topics from mental toughness to meditation, batting techniques to training his body, who has inspired him to his life philosophies. It's an enlightening conversation and I hope you enjoy his amazing insights.

Episode notes

02:00 - JL starts by telling a terrific story about his breakthrough hundred in the 5th Ashes Test of the 2001 series and how it changed him

11:08 - JL takes us through his mental approach

14:54 - We touch on mediation and how JL discovered it

21:20 - JL's batting mindset

33:54 - We explore JL's batting technique and what worked for him

36:55 - JL discusses his fitness regime

49:22 - JL's mantra when he suffers setbacks

52:23 - JL's reflects on his coaching career

59:57 - How JL treats the media

1:05:22 - JL talks finance and investment

1:08:28 - The people who have influenced JL

Youtube Link

Footage of JL celebrating after his 2001 Ashes Test Hundred in the 5th Test at the Oval

https://youtu.be/fW8iGWtrO1s?t=201

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Cricket has delivered many joys in my life but none more so than the friendships I have made and I am proud to say one of my great friends from the game is this week's guest, an absolute legend of the game, Mitchell Johnson. Mitch and I have known each other since we were teenagers and have enjoyed the highs and dealt with the lows together on and off the field. Mitch is one of Australia's most successful bowlers, one of the fastest to play the game and one of the mentally toughest. His insights on mental toughness, fast bowling and getting his body fit to bowl should not be missed.

Episode notes

01:45 - Mitch picks his favourite moments

07:10 - Mitch goes in depth about his comeback in 2013 and how he developed his mental skills

23:53 - The bowling checklist Mitch used during his career

33:05 - The lessons Mitch learnt about his body and bowling fast

44:46 - How Mitch dealt with the media

51:47 - Mitch talks finance and investment

1:07:10 - The people who have inspired Mitch

1:10:46 - Mitch talks about the books he's read

Youtube Link

https://youtu.be/EdGAgjKNSwg

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Legends don't get much more legendary than this week's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats, Dennis Lillee.

DK started off as a raw tearaway before transforming into arguably Australia's greatest fast bowler, a paceman with speed, skill and savvy for the game.

Not only did Dennis have a phenomenal impact on Australian cricket during his playing days, he then became the best fast bowling coach in the world. Without DK's amazing coaching and mentoring skills, Australia wouldn't have produce the production line of Fast Bowlers that it did over the last 20 years or so.

This is a must listen for any fast bowler and coach. His insights across so many aspects of cricket and life are truly a dream to share them with you all.

Enjoy.

Episode notes

02:00 - DK reflects on his impact as a supreme fast bowler and role model

11:20 - I get DK's take on his epic battle with Viv Richards in 1976 (YouTube link below)

16:30 - DK talks the technical aspects of fast bowling

22:22 - The lessons DK learnt managing his body

28:40 - DK on coaching

35:48 - DK talks about his mental toughness developed

40:03 - How DK dealt with the media in his day

42:30 - The techniques DK used to get away from the game

45:02 - DK discusses finances and offers some key advice

53:05 - DK's mantra for life

58:19 - The people who have inspired DK

YouTube links

Lillee v Richards, WA v Qld, WACA 1976 https://youtu.be/t51RjEpw8E0

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Australia's current cricketers owe a lot to this week's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats, the former captain and champion batsman Ian Chappell. Chappelli was as tough as they come, not only as a no-nonsense batsman but off the field when dealing with the Australian Cricket Board. Chappelli, along with his peers in the 1970s, stood up to the likes of Sir Donald Bradman in fighting for better pay and conditions for the players. He was a key figure in World Series Cricket before returning to the Test team where the players were paid more, paving the way for today's cricketers reaping the rewards for their efforts.

It's a fascinating listen and Chappelli tells stories that I could listen to for days and days. I hope you all enjoy.

Episode notes

01:46 - Chappelli starts by talking about his early days and taking on the ACB

16:00 - Chappelli talks batting an taking on the short ball

35:47 - How Chappelli honed his catching skills

41:37 - The mental side of the game

47:08 - Chappelli's learnings as a leader

56:09 - Chappelli on how he's handled the media

1:01:53 - Chappelli's mantra on life

1:07:02 - The three people who have inspired Chappelli

YouTube links

Chappelli's 111no v World Xi, 1971-72 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iqbuybg_aY

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It is my great pleasure to chat to champion Australia and Victoria batsman Dean Jones on this episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats. Deano was a trailblazer in the one-day game and was an integral part in Australia's wins in the 1987 World Cup and 1989 Ashes series. I loved watching him play when I was a youngster and feel extremely privileged to speak to him and tap into his vast wisdom in all facets of life. Enjoy!

Episode notes

02:10 - My favourite memories of Deano (YouTube links below)

03:45 - Deano's most cherished moments for Australia

11:20 - We chat about batting and the skills Deano focused on

17:09 - Deano talks through how he became a master of running between the wickets

21:45 - The fitness side of the game

27:25 - Deano talks about the mental aspect of cricket and his tough initiation

43:55 - How Deano has handled the media

49:52 - We chat about wealth generation and the lessons learnt in that area

1:02:50 - Deano's mantra for overcoming challenges

1:11:35 - The advice Deano would five his younger self

1:20:31 - The influential books Deano has read

YouTube links

Deano discusses his 210 in Madras: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mzkoh59NOA

Deano's double hundred on home soil: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HELHBwer_w

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One of India’s greatest batsmen, Rahul Dravid is this week's guest on Lessons Learnt with the Greats. Known as 'The Wall' for his seemingly impenetrable defence, Rahul was one of the premier batsmen of his generation in a star-studded Indian top order. While he rarely gave anything away on the field, in this episode he opens up about his batting technique, how he dealt with pressure and scrutiny and what inspired him to become one of the game's greatest players.

Episode notes

02:55 - Some of my favourite Rahul Dravid innings

05:45 - Rahuls's personal career highlights

08:06 - Rahul talks about his batting technique

13:40 - How Rahul became one of the world's best fielders

17:50 - Rahul's fitness regime

22:14 - Rahul shares how he crafted his mental skills

32:00 - How Rahul handled pressure and scrutiny

41:20 - Rahul talks about the financial lessons learnt

51:43 - Rahul's mantra for getting through the tough times

55:28 - The people who have inspired Rahul

1:01:55 - Rahul's favourite books

YouTube links

Dravid and Laxman hammering the Aussies in Kolkata, 2001: https://youtu.be/D3_jGlOnRkI

Dravid 233 v Australia: https://youtu.be/pxhqeHFLAF0

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On this week's episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats, I speak to the one and only, 'Mr Cricket', Mike Hussey. Huss was forced to wait for his international debut but when he got in the Australian team he was one of our best performers ever. In this episode, Huss breaks down his batting and mental techniques, how he handled challenges and setbacks, and shares ripping stories about his time in the IPL as an assistant coach – they're not to be missed!

Episode rundown

03:13 – I name a few of my favourite innings by Huss (YouTube links below)

09:34 – Huss shares his career highlights

11:05 – Huss talks about his batting process. Incredible insight here.

15:57 – How Huss became a terrific fielder

19:00 – Huss explains how his upbringing put him in peak physical shape

22:15 – Huss talks captaincy

25:50 – Two ripping stories from Huss about his coaching career. These are absolute gold.

34:12 – Huss discusses his mindset and mental skills

42:13 – How the media played a part in his performance

45:40 – Huss gives some great advice about financial planning

51:40 – How Huss has dealt with challenges throughout his career

56:08 – We close with the books Huss loves reading

YouTube links

Hussey's 195 at the Gabba in 2010 https://youtu.be/vQLkl55HVsY

Hussey's amazing World T20 performance v Pakistan https://youtu.be/Ky1a_rNT768

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Allan Border was one of my childhood heroes and I am so lucky to be speaking to him on this episode of Lessons Learnt with the Greats. Allan is Australia's longest-serving Test captain, leading his country to World Cup glory and Ashes success, and is one of the finest batsmen the game has ever seen. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I do.

Episode rundown

02:17 - My favourite highlights of AB's magnificent career

02:58 - AB's stand out moments

06:05 - AB's batting technical components

11:23 - AB on what made him a brilliant fielder

18:18 - How AB managed his body over his career

26:11 - AB's insights on leadership

30:58 - AB's mental skills and how he developed them

43:03 - How AB has handled the media

49:12 - AB's financial advice

59:18 - AB's mantra on life

YouTube links

AB's 205 v New Zealand 1987/88 https://youtu.be/W0d3KSOOYM8

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