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

In this episode, we break down the misunderstood concept of trigger movements in batting—and why most club players are focusing on the wrong thing. In this episode, we share real training insights, honest mistakes, and what actually separates pros from amateurs.

You’ll Learn:

• Why Most Club Cricketers Don’t Need Trigger Movements. If your technique isn’t sound, trigger movements won’t save you—they’ll break you. This episode explains why slower bowling doesn’t require triggering and how most amateur batters jump the gun.
• The Difference Between Forward Press and Back-and-Across. Discover why the forward press is often misunderstood and how it can help with both spin and fast bowling. Learn how finding the right trigger for you is key—not mimicking the pros.
• When and Why to Introduce Trigger Movements. Technique first, trigger second. We discuss how poor timing in teaching trigger movements can cause more harm than good, especially for young players.
• How to Use Bowling Machines to Test Readiness. Hear what happened when James faced an 80+ mph Truman ball indoors—and how it exposed flaws even in good technique. Learn how dynamic adjustments helped him hit cleanly.

Key Takeaways:

• Trigger Movements Are Overrated Without Good Technique. Players obsess over triggers without mastering alignment, balance, and clean contact. Fix your head, hands, and footwork first.
• Technique Under Pressure Reveals the Truth. When the pace ramps up, poor technique becomes painfully obvious. Triggering won’t fix collapsing structure—it just exposes it faster.
• Find What’s Natural to You—Not What Looks Good. There’s no one-size-fits-all trigger. Whether it’s a forward press, back-and-across, or hand movement, the right one should feel instinctive under pressure.
• Layer Habits the Right Way. Habit stacking—fix one thing, then move to the next. Trigger movements should be added only after foundational technique is solid.
• Off-Season is for Experimenting, Not In-Season. Don’t overhaul your technique mid-season. Use the off-season for deeper work and try changes when you’re not chasing performance.

Quotes:

“Trigger movements are useless unless you have a solid foundation of technique.”

“They’re so obsessed with movement they forget what good contact even feels like.”

“Habit stacking. Fix one habit, then earn the right to add another.”

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