27 Cricket Lessons before 27!

Don’t get caught up in too much technical problems.

Don’t be afraid to go after it to make it!

Ducks in a row! Have those things sorted outside cricket and it’s not surprising how much your cricket gets

Plan. If you want to get better, you must plan and plan properly, turn that plan into a behaviour.

Training doesn’t have to be only hitting balls on machine or bowlers. I have been fortunate enough to have my dad use a tennis racquet to hit balls, it’s fun for him and fun for me, plus we can talk as much shit as we want.

Look after your own backyard first. Batting positions/selection will take care of themselves.

Be different, find something that you can be or bring to a team that is different to the others.

Bowl as fast or spin it as far as you can. That’s the joy in bowling, figure out ways to control it.

Try skills on both sides of the body. Bat, bowl, throw and catch with your left and right hand.

Nobody actually cares – worrying about coaches or selectors with what you think doesn’t matter and uses so much mental energy in worrying about those things when in reality, we have jobs, school/Uni, outside things that take up more time than if you worry about their thoughts.

Take control of your training. If you tell your coach that these are the things that you are working on, I highly doubt that they will say that that is wrong and do this. If they do, then they’re not the right coach.

Take bits and pieces from coaches. Not all coaches are right, they want to help players, but some things may or may not work for you. So take the thing that works and don’t bother about the rest.

For trials, use them to get better and not to get picked.

Try every skill. Be a wicket keeper for a season, try fast bowling, try spinner, you never know what you may stumble into.

Understand the mental side of performance. Getting 2 or 3 points that can help your performance and even help outside of cricket!

Go and watch more live cricket. Seeing the speed of the game and other small details you may not pick up from the TV

Get to different environments. Play overseas, play interstate, play in a different league or team. This exposure helps you grow as a person and a cricketer.

Don’t have excuses for conditions. Everyone plays on the same conditions on the same day for that game. Have a plan, learn to adapt to help get a positive outcome

People remember how you make them feel. Encourage, help players find their way. Send a message to someone who is not having a great season, throw balls, ask how they are really going.

Learn from other players! If you are fortunate enough to play with or against ex pro’s, ask questions after the game or even as you pass them after you bowl a ball. They are just people!

Cricket is a great leveller. You can score a 100 one week and then bring you back down by getting run out on 0. That is life.

Your best years come later. You don’t have to have everything sorted when you are 18. Stay in premier or grade cricket longer, most players understand the game when they are 28.

Learn to coach. Learning how to coach, not technically but asking questions to young players help your own growth.

Be nice to umpires, you never know when a 50/50 decision will go your way.

Enjoy fielding! You do that more than bat or bowl.

Keep fit & keep playing. It is a long time not playing.

Have fun! It is a game! Remember why you play it!