In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive into the essential role of lower body strength in cricket. They discuss the limitations of traditional barbell squats for cricketers and present a tailored approach to developing leg strength, agility, and power for optimal performance on the field.

You'll Learn:

• Traditional barbell squats can compromise mobility and lead to injuries. Learn why they’re better suited for collision sports and how they may hinder cricket-specific movements.
• Why shoulder mobility and T-spine extension are critical for effective squats and how poor form can lead to reduced performance.
• The stages of squat progression starting with bodyweight and goblet squats, designed to improve form, strength, and endurance without risking injury.
• The connection between strong legs, power transfer, and improved batting, bowling, and fielding abilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Barbell back squats may not align with the demands of cricket, as they often cause lower back issues and limit agility. Mobility and proper form are more critical than heavy loads.
• Goblet squats with 25% of body weight for 25 reps are an excellent starting point for cricketers to build foundational strength and technique.
• Adding incremental load through progressive squat stages improves endurance and integrates core and leg strength for functional performance.
• Poor squat form can lead to a compromised batting or bowling stance, reducing power and precision. Focus on mobility first to avoid these pitfalls.
• Proper lower body strength enhances power transfer from the ground to the bat or ball, crucial for hitting sixes or achieving faster bowling speeds.

Quotes:

"If you don’t have a strong set of legs and core, how is that going to translate to actual power and movement?"

"You need fast, mobile, agile shoulders, whether you’re batting, bowling, or fielding."

"If you lack lower body strength and power, it’s not going to correlate to the game of cricket."

Read more on our blog here!

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

In this episode, Josh Kennedy and James Breese welcome back Kent coach Toby Radford to explore his article in Wisden Magazine. Toby shares fascinating insights into why left-handed batsmen are outperforming their right-handed counterparts in county cricket and how the data could reshape training and strategies in the game.

You'll Learn:

• The stats revealing left-handers' superior performance, with bowlers requiring significantly more deliveries to dismiss them compared to right-handers.
• How right-handed bowlers' angles and the increasing use of wobble seam affect the effectiveness of deliveries against left- and right-handed batsmen.
• How innovative coaching techniques are helping right-handers adapt to challenging conditions, including changes in stance and alignment.
• How team line-ups, recruitment, and match strategies can benefit from incorporating more left-handed batsmen into the mix.

Key Takeaways:

• Left-handed batsmen take nearly twice as many deliveries to dismiss compared to right-handers across most counties, with seven of the top ten batsmen in county cricket being left-handed.
• Many bowlers lack the ability to effectively challenge left-handers, with right-arm bowlers often defaulting to less effective angles and techniques.
• Coaches should encourage bowlers to practice against both right- and left-handed batsmen, honing specific skills like creating angles and maintaining wrist control.
• Right-handed batsmen can mitigate challenges by altering their guard, stance, and strategy to better counter the angles and movements of right-handed bowlers.
• Incorporating left-handers into the batting order can disrupt opposition strategies, especially in white-ball cricket where field adjustments and bowling lines are more critical.

Quotes:

"Thirteen of the eighteen counties take significantly longer to dismiss left-handers compared to right-handers—this isn’t just a trend, it’s a pattern."

"Left-handers are thriving in county cricket because bowlers aren't as practiced at delivering effective angles and swings to challenge them."

"Recruiting left-handers isn’t just a tactic—it’s becoming a necessity for competitive teams."

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com

Welcome to another episode! Josh Kennedy and James Breese dive into the often-overlooked importance of warm-ups and cool-downs in cricket, especially when it comes to injury prevention. They explore key strategies and actionable tips backed by research to help cricketers stay fit and perform at their best.

You'll Learn:

• How a strategic 15-20 minute warm-up can reduce injuries by 36.6% and why dynamic, targeted movements are crucial for cricketers.
• How each joint's mobility and stability impacts the body as a whole, and why addressing the hips, T-spine, and shoulders is key for cricketers.
• How exercises like planks, dead bugs, and glute bridges prepare your body for optimal performance by engaging your core and supporting muscle synergy.
• Why static stretching after games or workouts is essential, including tips on holding stretches for a minimum of two minutes to achieve tissue change and recovery.

Key Takeaways:

• Research shows a strategic warm-up can reduce injuries by over 36%, highlighting its importance in a cricket training regimen.
• Warm-ups should be dynamic and movement-based, while cool-downs should be static, focusing on longer-held stretches for recovery.
• Prioritize warming up the hips, shoulders, and T-spine to prevent common cricket-related injuries.
• Core activation improves coordination between muscles, reducing strain on other areas like the back and hamstrings. Static stretching for two or more minutes post-activity helps prevent stiffness and promotes long-term flexibility and recovery.

Quotes:

"Warm-ups and cool-downs are often overlooked to people’s peril. A little extra time can save you a lot of trouble later."

"Think of warm-ups and cool-downs like bookends—they should match and support each other."

"Dynamic stretching gets you moving, while static stretching helps you recover and stay flexible."

Read more on our blog here!

Find James on:

• Instagram: @jamesbreese
• Twitter: @_jamesbreese

To learn more about Cricket Matters and download your FREE copy of The High-Performance Handbook, please visit www.cricketmatters.com