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, they unpack how mindset shapes performance at every level, from junior cricket to the international stage, and what players, parents and coaches can learn about preparation, adaptability and handling pressure.

In this episode:

1. Why cricket places unique psychological demands on players
2. When technique helps — and when it holds players back
3. The pressures facing young cricketers in modern systems
4. Confidence, resilience and independent thinking
5. Self-talk, visualisation and common mental traps
6. Lessons from the Ashes: adaptability, leadership and preparation

Who this is for

Players, parents and coaches who want to understand performance in cricket beyond technique alone — and help cricketers think, prepare and perform more effectively.