In this episode, we dive into one of the most commonly repeated — yet misunderstood — pieces of batting advice: “Watch the ball.” We explore what that really means and how cricketers can improve their ability to see and track the ball more effectively through techniques borrowed from baseball and other sports.

You’ll Learn:

• Why just telling batters to “watch the ball” isn't enough, and learn what elite players actually do when they're watching it. You'll hear why many dismissals happen because players lose sight of the ball at a crucial moment.
• How shifting between a soft focus on the bowler’s body and a hard focus on the ball’s release point helps players track the ball better. These techniques, rooted in baseball, can transform how cricketers perceive and react.
• How keeping your head still improves both depth and speed judgment.
• How to improve your ball-tracking ability beyond match play — including apps, drills, and slow-motion practice. It’s not just about reflexes; it’s about awareness and training your visual muscles.

Key Takeaways:

• Soft and hard focus work together
  Soft focus helps you gather general information about the bowler's body and movement, while hard focus allows you to zero in on the release point. Switching between the two is a skill that can be practiced and developed.
• Not all bowlers are the same
  Facing bowlers with slingy or sidearm actions makes ball-tracking much harder. This is where a flexible visual strategy becomes essential.
• Stillness improves visual clarity
  A still head allows you to better judge line, length, and speed — it’s not just about technique, but perception too. A moving head can distort how fast the ball appears to be coming at you.
• Vision training is crucial
  Like any other physical skill, your eyes and focus can be trained. From net practice with slow-motion to using baseball-inspired vision apps, there are many ways to develop this edge.

Quotes:

“Soft focus is the wide gaze on the bowler; hard focus is locking in on the release point.”

“Not all bowlers present the ball cleanly. Some you lose it before you even pick it up.”

“Your eyes are muscles — they can and should be trained.”

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

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Luis Mesquita—physiotherapist, S&C coach, and co-founder of The Peak training facility—whose deep dive into eccentric strength and deceleration performance truly stopped us in our tracks. In this episode, we explore the science behind "putting on the brakes" and why it might just be the performance edge cricketers are missing.

You’ll Learn:

• How deceleration and eccentric strength affect everything from sprinting to bowling, and why the best athletes have the best “brakes.”
• Training methods to develop force quickly without overwhelming athletes—critical for fast bowlers and injury prevention.
• How excess fat and poor fueling sabotage athletic performance, even among elite athletes.
• Why eccentric work in the gym complements—but never replaces—sports-specific training on the pitch.

Key Takeaways:

• Eccentric strength is foundational for elite movement: Athletes who can absorb force quickly—like triple jumpers—perform better and stay healthier, especially in high-impact sports like cricket.
• Jump tests reveal hidden weaknesses: Many cricketers underperform in basic tests like the broad jump, indicating poor force production and transfer—issues that limit bowling speed and power.
• Different athletes need different strength strategies: Not everyone benefits from max strength gains. Elastic, reactive athletes often thrive with speed and plyometric work over heavy lifts.
• Body composition is a performance multiplier: Lean athletes not only move better—they recover faster. Poor body comp often signals deeper issues in professionalism and mindset.
• High-quality reps beat high-volume grinds: Intensity trumps volume when developing speed and reactive strength. Fewer, sharper reps with maximal focus deliver better results than “junk volume.”

Quotes:

“You don’t absorb force—you produce force to break.”

“Better athletes make better cricketers.”

“Technique and physical capacity can’t live without each other.”

Find Luís on:

• Instagram: @luismmesquita

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 of the Cricket Matters podcast, we dive into one of the most overlooked but game-changing elements of batting—your sprint times between the wickets. We’re building on last week’s sprinting episode and getting laser-focused on the exact times you need to hit to become an elite-level runner between the wickets.

You’ll Learn:

• The ideal timings for singles, twos, and threes—critical benchmarks for every aspiring cricketer.
• Why training in both kit and no-kit setups gives a more accurate picture of your game-readiness and sprint performance.
• How professional athletes use exact sprint data to inform their decisions and improve their performance.
• The importance of proper turning techniques and sprinting mechanics for maximizing speed and minimizing lost time.

Key Takeaways:

• Know Your Numbers
  Elite cricketers know how fast they can run a single (around 3.1–3.5s), a two (7.1–7.3s), and a three (10.6–10.7s). Knowing your exact times gives you a tactical edge on the pitch.
• Train in and out of Kit
  Practicing both with and without cricket gear ensures better sprint mechanics and real-game preparedness. Your form changes when wearing full kit, so both environments are vital.
• Turning Can Make or Break a Run
  Efficient turns, especially off your strong side, can significantly cut down your total time. Bad turns equal lost runs.
• Sprint Mechanics Are Foundational
  Good sprinting form—strong arms, posture, and leg drive—transfers directly into faster in-game performance. Poor mechanics slow you down, especially under pressure.
• Women’s Sprint Data Is Catching Up
  While research is sparse, the team provides estimated benchmarks for female cricketers to work towards based on comparative sports science data.

Quotes:

“The best cricketers know how fast they can run a single, a two, and a three.”

“If you don't know your times, you're just guessing—and guessing won't win you matches.”

“Train like a sprinter, even in your pads. Mechanics matter.”

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