
Fast Bowling Is Brutal: Pace, Injury Risk & Performance in Cricket | Ian Pont
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Why is fast bowling so brutal — and why do so many fast bowlers break down?
In this episode of The Cricket Mind Podcast, Nathan Wood and Briony Brock are joined by Ian Pont, founder of the National Fast Bowling Academy (NFBA), to explore the physical, technical and mental demands of fast bowling in cricket.
Drawing on decades of experience as a former professional fast bowler, international coach and biomechanical specialist, Ian explains why pace alone isn’t enough — and how poor preparation, overload and technique issues often lead to injury.
In this episode:
- Why fast bowling breaks so many bodies
- The difference between bowling fast and bowling well
- How technique and workload contribute to injury risk
- Why fast bowlers need specialist coaching environments
- The mental demands unique to fast bowlers
- When chasing pace helps — and when it hurts
- How parents and coaches can better support young players
⏱️ Episode Chapters & Timestamps
- 00:00 Listener questions: mindset support & training volume
- 05:16 Introducing Ian Pont
- 07:00 The cricket ball throwing record
- 11:00 How Ian’s playing career shaped his coaching philosophy
- 17:30 Style vs structure in fast bowling
- 22:00 The brutal physical demands of fast bowling
- 29:00 Why fast bowlers need specialist preparation
- 33:00 Why the National Fast Bowling Academy exists
- 43:30 The mental demands of fast bowling
- 54:30 Visualisation, confidence & pressure moments
- 1:06:30 Chasing pace vs longevity
- 1:13:00 Advice for young fast bowlers
- 1:19:30 Learning more about the NFBA
🔗 Useful Links
National Fast Bowling Academy (NFBA)
Cricket Mind Online
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📩 Questions or topic ideas?
Email: nathan@cricketmind.online
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- 0:00Chapter 1
- 0:03Listener questions: mindset support & training volume
- 5:16Introducing Ian Pont
- 7:00The cricket ball throwing record
- 11:00How Ian’s playing career shaped his coaching philosophy
- 17:30Style vs structure in fast bowling
- 22:00The physical demands of fast bowling
- 29:00Why fast bowlers need specialist preparation
- 33:00Why the National Fast Bowling Academy exists
- 43:30The mental demands of fast bowling
- 54:30Visualisation, confidence & pressure
- 1:06:30Chasing pace vs long-term longevity
- 1:13:00Advice for young fast bowlers
- 1:19:30How to learn more about the NFBA