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

In this episode of the Cricket Matters podcast, we dive into a deceptively simple yet powerful topic—how to run faster between the wickets. We’re breaking down what really impacts your speed and sharing evidence-backed techniques you can apply immediately to score more runs.

You'll Learn:

• How a small shift in technique—carrying the bat in one hand—can help transfer energy more efficiently and cut down your sprint times.
• How proper sprinting form, used by Olympic runners, can be adapted for better running between the wickets.
• What the research says about different running techniques, and how turning to your strong side with a one-handed grip significantly improves speed.
• How grip strength and physical conditioning—especially in the women's game—can influence your ability to apply these techniques effectively.

Key Takeaways:

• Carrying the bat in one hand improves directional energy: This technique reduces the inefficient cross-body arm motion and helps you accelerate in a straight line more effectively.
• Turning on your strong side is faster: Data shows that turning toward your strong side while holding the bat in your dominant hand saves time on each sprint—potentially the difference between safe and run out.
• Bad habits in club-level cricket are slowing players down: Many club players carry the bat in two hands and don't prioritize running between the wickets, missing out on easy scoring opportunities.
• Strength training enhances performance: Players who lack the grip strength to carry the bat in one hand may need to focus on strength development before applying this method.
• Better technique improves both speed and tactical awareness: Running with an open body position (by turning correctly) allows for better visibility of the ball and reduces tactical errors like blind turns.

Quotes:

“The best runners between the wickets carry the bat in one hand—it's not just faster, it's smarter.”

“Awareness is the first step—if you’re not strong enough to run one-handed, that’s a technical flaw you need to fix.”

“Technique isn’t just about form; it’s about seeing the game better and making sharper decisions.”

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’re back on the Cricket Matters podcast, and this time, we’re going deep into throwing mechanics with none other than NASM Master Trainer Ken Miller. From near-death experiences in Serbia to world-class insights from baseball legends, this episode is packed with wisdom and laughs.

You’ll Learn:

• How baseball throwing mechanics apply to cricket. Ken breaks down how elite baseball pitching techniques—like hip-shoulder separation and ground-up force generation—can revolutionize how cricketers throw. The overlap between sports is far deeper than most think.
• How the lead arm acts like a shield that maintains balance, power, and accuracy. “Bite the burger” becomes your new mental cue for form.
• How many throwing injuries are due to problems in the core and lower body. A targeted warm-up and mobility work can transform both safety and performance.
• How to coach youth and adult athletes differently. Whether it’s a 12-year-old or a 40-year-old weekend warrior, Ken shares practical drills and adaptations to get the best out of every body type and experience level.

Key Takeaways:

• If you’ve got a shoulder problem, you’ve got a body problem
  Ken emphasizes that pain or dysfunction in the shoulder often stems from the hips, core, or even the feet. Effective throwing starts with a full-body check-in.
• Front side mechanics are a game-changer
  Dropping your front arm ruins your throw. Keeping the elbow up and pulling through ("biting the burger") helps maintain rotational integrity and prevents spinal and shoulder injuries.
• Movement quality beats aesthetics
  A six-pack won’t help if your spine can’t rotate or your hips don’t move. Ken urges athletes to focus on quality foundational movement first.
• Elite throwing relies on disassociation
  The ability to separate lower-body motion from the upper body is key. Ken explains that most amateur athletes lack this and that it's critical to train for that “lag” in movement.
• Preparation must be individualized
  Everyone has different postural and mobility issues. Custom warm-ups and drills based on individual needs beat cookie-cutter routines every time.

Quotes:

“If you've got a shoulder problem, you've got a body problem.”

“Don’t train like an elite athlete—move like a human first.”

“Your shoulder is only as good as your spine, hips, and footwork.”

Find Ken on:

• Instagram: @kjfitlab

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 why walking remains one of the most underrated yet effective pre-season strategies for cricketers. We just got back from a charity walk through the Welsh valleys, and it reminded us exactly how crucial endurance and volume training are—especially for club-level players.

You'll Learn:

• How consistent walking builds endurance, strengthens your joints and bones, and prepares your body for the demands of cricket season. It’s a simple but powerful way to boost recovery and maintain match fitness.
• How gradually increasing your walking volume helps develop baseline endurance, reducing injury risk when the matches start. Volume matters more than intensity for sustained pre-season progress.
• How to kickstart your walking routine with practical advice—whether you’re short on time, balancing family life, or just getting off the sofa. Hint: it starts with just 30 minutes a day.

Key Takeaways:

• Walking Builds Durability. Pre-season cricket requires more than nets and drills—it demands leg volume and general endurance. Walking is a low-impact way to build this durability.
• Most Cricketers Are Underprepared. Many club-level players skip fitness prep and jump straight into matches, leading to stiffness, soreness, and preventable injuries. Walking helps bridge that gap.
• Walking is Scalable for Everyone. Whether it’s 30 minutes a day or a weekend hike with the family, walking is easy to scale based on your fitness level and schedule. Small steps lead to big gains.
• Don't Skip the Basics. Everyone wants to sprint or bowl at full pace—but if you haven’t walked regularly, you're not ready. Start with walking, and let your body adapt from the ground up.

Quotes:

“As simple as it sounds, go walk more. Start walking more.”

“Endurance is a big part of cricket. You’ve got to last the whole day.”

“People start running, and I ask—when was the last time you even walked for 30 minutes?”

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’re diving into three muscles that every cricketer absolutely must release to perform at their best. We break down what these muscles do, why they get tight, and how you can effectively release them to avoid pain and play better. Whether you’re a bowler, batter, or just battling shoulder stiffness, this one’s for you.

You'll Learn:

• Why the Teres Major, Obliques, and Tensor Fascia Latae (TFL) are crucial for cricketers. These muscles often get overlooked but play a huge role in movement, performance, and pain prevention.
• Foam rolling techniques and manual therapy suggestions to release deep muscular tension. From massage balls to dry needling, we cover methods to help you recover faster.
• Why Rotation is Key for Cricketers. We highlight the chain reaction poor mobility has on your entire performance.
• How Often You Need to Work on These Muscles. We share how to build these practices into your training routine.

Key Takeaways:

• Teres Major Is More Important Than You Think
  This deep shoulder muscle often becomes overactive, leading to restricted rotation and pain. Addressing it can significantly improve shoulder function and throwing mechanics.
• The Obliques Aren’t Just for Aesthetics
  Overactive obliques inhibit trunk rotation, which is essential for batting and bowling. Foam rolling and targeted release techniques are essential for restoring full movement.
• The TFL Plays a Hidden but Powerful Role
  Located at the side of the hip, the TFL helps with hip and knee stability. When tight, it interferes with hip mobility and overall athletic movement.
• Release Equals Performance
  Releasing these muscles improves flexibility, power transfer, and body coordination. It's a non-negotiable for serious cricketers who want to stay injury-free and sharp.
• It’s a Repetitive Process
  These techniques should become a consistent part of your training routine. Long-term gains come from short-term discomfort—lean into it.

Quotes:

“Most people have never done their obliques before, and it hurts like hell—but you’ll thank me later.”

“You can’t just do it once and expect magic—it’s something you have to revisit.”

“Rotation is everything in cricket, and these muscles are usually the reason it’s not happening.”

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’re back with a fresh episode of the Cricket Matters podcast! In this one, James returns from Serbia with plenty of stories and most importantly insights from an elite-level coaching conference. From eccentric training to athlete pressure, we dig into the performance secrets of some of the world’s top sports minds.

You’ll Learn:

• How focusing on the "down phase" of movement can improve strength, control, and injury prevention—especially for cricketers and rotational athletes.
• How breaking and changing direction separates good athletes from great ones—and how it applies across multiple sports.
• How elite athletes use focused attention (without distractions like music) to sharpen their performance and make every rep count.
• W some of the best insights for cricket conditioning come from explosive sports like triple jump, and how to reverse-engineer their methods.

Key Takeaways:

• Eccentric (lowering) strength builds control and explosiveness.
  Athletes who master the "going down" phase of movement tend to be stronger, faster, and more resilient. It's not just about pushing up—it's about how you absorb and manage force.
• Deceleration training is underrated but essential.
  The best athletes aren’t always the fastest in a straight line—they're the ones who can stop and change direction efficiently, like a high-performance Formula One car.
• Intentional training beats distracted workouts every time.
  Tuning into your body during a session leads to better movement quality, deeper focus, and more meaningful progress.
• Learning from other sports expands your coaching toolbox.
  Insights from triple jumpers and baseball pitchers are helping James refine how cricketers move, jump, and rotate efficiently.
• Pressure in sport is real—but so is perspective.
  Hearing from a 7’2” pro basketball player about pressure-packed Serbian games reminds us that handling the mental side is just as critical as the physical.

Quotes:

“The best athletes are better on the eccentric version—the going down section.”

“If you can improve the brakes of the athlete, you change their ability to recycle energy.”

“Most people aren’t in tune with their body enough to know what’s really going on.”

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, we dive into a crucial but often overlooked topic—why you should fix pain before changing your technique. Pain isn't just a nuisance; it's your body’s way of signaling a deeper issue. We discuss how ignoring pain and pushing through can lead to long-term movement issues, ingrained bad habits, and even worse performance on the field.

You’ll Learn:

• Pain isn’t random; it’s the final alert after your body has tried to compensate for an issue. Ignoring it can lead to movement alterations that negatively impact your cricketing technique.
• Adjusting technique while in pain only reinforces poor habits. Addressing the pain first ensures that your body moves correctly without subconscious compensation.
• Continuing to train through pain can hardwire bad movement patterns into your game. Even after pain subsides, these habits often persist and must be unlearned.

Key Takeaways:

• Pain alters movement and technique – Your body instinctively compensates for pain, which can lead to faulty biomechanics and bad habits in batting, bowling, and fielding.
• Training through pain is like driving on a flat tire – You might get by for a while, but eventually, the damage will catch up to you and worsen your performance.
• Fix pain before making technical adjustments – Addressing the root cause of pain ensures that technique changes are based on proper movement rather than compensation.
• Bad habits formed due to pain can linger – Even when pain is gone, your body may still default to improper movements, requiring retraining to restore optimal technique.
• Be honest about pain – Hiding injuries from coaches or teammates to stay in the game can lead to long-term damage and prevent proper recovery.

Quotes:

“Pain is your body’s final response—it’s been compensating for a long time before it gets to that point.”

“If you keep playing through pain, you’re not just risking injury—you’re changing your technique in ways that might be hard to undo.”

“You don’t want to get stuck in bad habits—get out of pain first, then work on refining your technique.”

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