In this episode of Cricket Matters, we dive into the fatal flaw most club cricketers have in their batting technique and why it’s holding them back from becoming more powerful and athletic at the crease. We unpack what this flaw is, why it happens, and how you can start fixing it today.

You’ll Learn:

• The hidden flaw in most batting stances – Why standing with your knees over your toes might feel powerful but actually puts you in a weak, unathletic position.
• The difference between a hinge and a squat – How confusing the two movement patterns is costing cricketers their balance, power, and shot range.
• Why glute activation is critical – Discover how failing to use your glutes limits your ability to generate force, move up and down the wicket, and hit big shots.
• Simple drills to retrain your hinge pattern – Practical exercises you can start immediately to unlock a stronger, more athletic batting stance.

Key Takeaways:

• Knees over toes is not an athletic stance. It restricts movement, weakens balance, and causes batters to fall over when trying to play shots.
• Most cricketers don’t hinge properly. Instead, they squat without realizing it, which limits their ability to generate rotational and hip-driven power.
• Glutes are the engine of batting power. Without activating them, you lose explosiveness, core strength, and the ability to transfer energy into your shots.
• The hinge is like a slingshot. Mastering it allows you to load up with tension and release power into your swing, rather than just relying on quads and calves.
• Correcting the hinge improves everything. From better balance to more powerful shot-making, retraining this pattern is essential for long-term cricket performance.

Quotes:

“Knees over toes when batting is the fatal flaw—it makes you unbalanced and unathletic.”

“Most players think they’re hinging, but they’re really just squatting.”

“Your hamstrings are the strings of the bow—you need to load them to release real power.”

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 Cricket Matters, we dive deep into one of the most challenging aspects of batting: playing spin. Fresh off a nail-biting Test match, we explore what makes spin bowling so tough and introduce our powerful “4D Approach” to counter it. If you’ve ever felt stuck playing spin, this episode is for you.

You’ll Learn:

• Why Spin Dominates in Over-40s and Club Cricket. As pace drops with age, spin takes over—making it essential to have a game plan when facing spinners.
• The 4D System to Dominate Spin. Learn how to move not just forward and back (2D), but also laterally across the crease to manipulate the bowler’s line and the field.
• Advanced Tactics to Disrupt Good Bowlers. Discover how stepping across the stumps, sweeping with confidence, and manipulating field placements can frustrate even top-tier spinners.

Key Takeaways:

• Most Club Cricketers Lack a Spin Plan. Blocking or wildly swinging isn’t enough—without a clear tactical plan, you’re likely to get out to spin more often.
• The 2D Approach is Just the Beginning. Going forward or back is standard, but the real disruption happens when you move laterally and use the full crease.
• Field Manipulation is Key. By confidently sweeping or stepping across, you force the field to shift—opening up gaps to exploit.
• The 4D Approach Requires Confidence. This isn’t for beginners. You need sound technique, conviction in your sweep, and the guts to bat as if your stumps aren’t there.
• Technique Comes Before Tactics. You can’t apply advanced strategies without first being technically sound. Good setup, footwork, and balance come first.

Quotes:

“You have to have the confidence to bat as if your stumps aren’t there.”

“If you don’t know what the pitch is doing, you’re always going to struggle.”

“Most club cricketers just sit there and block the crap out of it.”

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’ve all watched club batters crumble against spin bowling and wondered—why does it happen so often? In this episode, we unpack the real reason behind the struggle—and spoiler alert—it’s not just about technique. James Breese joins us to break down the mindset, game plan, and psychology required to play spin smarter at the club level.

You’ll Learn:

• Why technique alone won’t save you from spin. Most players focus too much on form, not enough on having a solid, situation-based plan for each type of bowler.
• How the quality of the bowler shapes your strategy. Lower-tier bowlers require simple execution and patience, while higher-level spinners demand tactical variation and adaptability.
• How pitch conditions affect your shot selection. Learn when to sweep, when to use your feet, and how the bounce and turn of a pitch can determine your entire approach.
• The critical role of patience and psychology. Mental discipline isn’t optional. Your ability to stay calm, stick to your plan, and wait for the right ball is what separates good batters from great ones.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t overcomplicate things against weak spinners. Stick to punishing bad deliveries instead of trying reverse sweeps and fancy footwork—they’re usually unnecessary and risky.
• Game plans beat guesswork every time. Good batters don’t just react—they plan. Your success depends on understanding the quality of the bowler and pitch, and making proactive decisions.
• Patience isn’t passive—it’s tactical. Blocking without a plan leads to frustration. Have a clear intent behind every defensive or attacking move to stay in control.
• Create pressure through rotation. Smart footwork and strike rotation push bowlers off their length, increasing your scoring opportunities.
• Psychological edge matters. Understanding the mental battle helps you stay focused under pressure and resist the urge to swing blindly when runs dry up.

Quotes:

“The lesser the quality of the bowler, the less you need to go into your toolbox.”

“You can’t just go actively attacking a spinner you’ve never seen before—assess first.”

“Use your feet or sweep, but do something—staying in the same zone is what the spinner wants.”

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