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The Cerebral Cricketer

Tanzim Alam

The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast is a deep dive into the psychological side of cricket.

Through exclusive interviews with cricketers, coaches, and experts, we explore the mindset, thought processes, and mental resilience behind success.

This podcast unpacks the cerebral side of the game - one conversation at a time.

Decode The Mind, Master Your Temperament!

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25 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 1 hr 27 min
English

Episodes 25

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Monday · 1 hr 14 min
Ep 44 - The Mental Battle No One Sees: Queensland's Aryan Jain on Emotions, Self-Doubt & Gratitude
What does cricket teach us about the psychology of being human? Queensland cricketer Aryan Jain returns to The Cerebral Cricketer for an insightful conversation exploring the complexities of human emotions, identity, self-awareness and the mind. Moving beyond the technical and tactical aspects of cricket, we explore how our thoughts, insecurities, expectations and emotional conditioning shape the way we perform, both on the field and in everyday life. Aryan opens up about the emotional challenges of losing his professional Queensland contract, the pressures of attaching his identity to cricket, and his evolving relationship with perfectionism, self-talk and performance. We explore some fascinating questions: - Why do we become so attached to outcomes and expectations? - Can we learn to observe negative thoughts rather than fight them? - How do childhood experiences and conditioning influence our emotions? - Is excessive training sometimes driven by insecurity rather than improvement? - Can we experience failure without allowing it to define who we are? - What role do gratitude, acceptance and self-awareness play in finding emotional balance? The conversation also explores the psychology of coaching, the importance of vulnerability, and how Aryan has learned to approach cricket with greater perspective and emotional awareness. An episode that goes beyond cricket, exploring what it means to understand ourselves as human beings. Subscribe to The Cerebral Cricketer for meaningful conversations exploring the human, psychological and strategic dimensions of cricket. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Aryan Jain 01:09 Balancing Cricket, Work and Life 03:21 When Cricket Becomes Your Entire Life 07:04 Batting as a Form of Meditation 08:42 Mindfulness and Managing Your Mental State 12:01 How Failure Builds Self-Awareness 14:00 Understanding Our Thoughts, On and Off the Field 18:26 Learning to Live with Negative Thoughts 20:35 The Evolution of Mental Skills in Cricket 23:09 Perfectionism, Insecurity and Training Less 26:05 Childhood Conditioning, Anxiety and Self-Belief 31:07 Losing a Queensland Contract and Finding Identity 32:41 Gratitude, Expectations and Emotional Acceptance 38:48 Vulnerability and Talking About Emotions in Cricket 41:01 Is Cricket Becoming Too Soft? 42:17 Managing Pressure and Emotions Through Self-Talk 47:33 Why Aryan Stopped Labelling Performances Good or Bad 50:44 The Psychology of Coaching and Perfectionism 53:06 Strict Coaching, Upbringing and Individual Differences 58:13 T20 Cricket, Success and Handling Low Scores 1:01:35 Aryan's 89 Not Out and Finding Flow 1:06:06 The Story Behind Hitting a Six Off the Final Ball 1:11:58 Preseason Preparation and Staying Mentally Fresh 1:13:22 T20 Max and Final Thoughts 1:14:20 Closing #TheCerebralCricketer #AryanJain #CricketPodcast #CricketPsychology #SelfAwareness #SportsPsychology #MentalPerformance #EmotionalIntelligence #QueenslandCricket
October 20 · 1 hr 14 min
Ep 43 - What He Saw in Uthappa, Pandey, Agarwal & Padikkal Before They Made It | Irfan Sait Reveals All
What separates a talented young cricketer from one who eventually represents India? 🏏🇮🇳 In Episode 43 of The Cerebral Cricketer, I sit down with Irfan Sait, founder and director of the Karnataka Institute of Cricket (KIOC), and a coach with more than 30 years of experience developing cricketers. Irfan has played a role in the development of players including Robin Uthappa, Manish Pandey, Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal. In this conversation, he takes us behind the scenes of what these players were like before they became household names, and what separated them from thousands of other talented young cricketers. We explore: - What Irfan first noticed in Uthappa, Pandey, Agarwal and Padikkal - Why discipline, passion and work ethic matter beyond natural talent - The importance of mental preparation and problem-solving - Why technique alone is not enough to reach the highest level - How coaches can teach players to think for themselves - The damaging impact parental pressure can have on young cricketers - How KIOC approaches the development of elite players - What more than three decades of coaching has taught Irfan about identifying talent Irfan also reflects on his own journey into coaching, building KIOC, studying coaching in India, Australia and England, and the lessons he has taken from working around some of cricket's great minds. This is a fascinating conversation for cricketers, coaches, parents and anyone interested in understanding what actually goes into producing an elite cricketer. 🎙️ The Cerebral Cricketer, Episode 43 If you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe, like and share the episode, and let us know in the comments: What quality do you think separates a talented cricketer from an elite one? Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:29 How Irfan Fell in Love With Cricket 02:54 Why Irfan Became a Cricket Coach 04:06 Learning Coaching in India, Australia & England 07:04 India vs Australia vs England: Cricket Cultures 09:55 The Origins of KIOC 12:35 Building a Structured Coaching System 14:45 The Problem With Parental Pressure 25:14 What Irfan Saw in Young Uthappa, Agarwal & Pandey 29:53 What Separates Good Cricketers From Great Ones? 31:31 Manish Pandey vs Mayank Agarwal: Different Mindsets 34:18 What Stood Out About Devdutt Padikkal 38:19 Developing Cricket Intelligence & Problem-Solving 45:12 How Much of Batting Technique Can Be Coached? 49:01 Is Modern Batting Technique Getting Better or Worse? 51:08 Why Match Practice Matters More Than Nets 54:27 Can Competitiveness Be Taught? 56:21 Can Mental Strength Outweigh Natural Talent? 56:45 When Should a Coach Change a Player's Technique? 59:14 How Irfan's Understanding of Talent Has Changed 1:00:20 Did Uthappa, Pandey, Agarwal & Padikkal Always Have Their Identity? 1:02:35 Weaknesses & Common Traits of His Elite Players 1:03:43 What India's Stars Taught Irfan About Developing Talent 1:05:29 Manish Pandey: The Test Career That Could Have Been 1:08:09 International Coaches Who Helped Shape KIOC 1:11:04 Irfan's Final Reflections
October 9 · 1 hr 4 min
Ep 42 - Unlocking Flow State: The Science of Performing Under Pressure with Amrinder K. Gill
What separates having potential from actually being able to perform when it matters? In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, I'm joined by Amrinder from Vagus Active Therapy, a qualified physiotherapist working with cricketers on stress regulation, mental resilience and performance. Amrinder shares her own journey of being a high achiever who struggled to execute despite knowing her potential, and how that experience eventually led her to explore the connection between the mind, body and nervous system. We discuss performing under pressure, flow state, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, the role of breathing, developing an internal locus of control, sitting with discomfort, and why mental resilience can be physically trained. We also explore why cricket places such unique demands on the mind, and what players can do to remain present, focused and composed when the pressure rises. 🎙️ **Topics include:** • Potential vs performance • The nervous system and stress regulation • Flow state in cricket • Mindfulness and meditation • Performing under pressure • Breathing and the vagus nerve • Mental resilience • Sitting with discomfort • Building focus and presence • The mental demands of cricket Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:02 How Amrinder Found Cricket 06:16 High Potential, Medical School & Struggling to Execute 08:25 Shame, Failure & Why She Does This Work 09:43 Performance, Identity & Mindfulness 13:21 Understanding the Nervous System 14:02 Returning to Baseline & Finding Flow 18:21 The Science of Flow State & Breathing 20:38 Rest, Recovery & Nervous System Regulation 29:25 Why Cricket Is So Mentally Demanding 31:15 Why Getting Out Can Feel Like a Breakup 37:19 Building Your Window of Tolerance 39:15 Cold Plunges & Learning to Sit With Discomfort 44:24 Social Media, Contracts & External Pressure 49:21 Potential vs Performance 50:08 Seeing the Work Translate Into Results 53:42 Performing Through Uncertainty & Discomfort 56:22 Acceptance & Jason Sangha's Move to South Australia 58:50 Process Over Outcome 1:00:41 Final Thoughts 1:02:27 What's Next for Amrinder
September 5 · 1 hr 17 min
Ep 41 - Sheffield Shield Double Centurion Daniel Drew on Fearless Cricket & Trusting Your Game
Daniel Drew joins The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast to unpack his journey through South Australian cricket and the mindset behind some of the biggest innings of his career. Daniel reflects on progressing from West Torrens and Second XI cricket to representing South Australia in the Sheffield Shield, his experiences in the Big Bash, and the incredible run of form that included scores of 161*, 214* and 180. We dive into the mental and technical side of batting, including how he learned to trust his own technique, deal with self-doubt, play without fear, build routines at the crease and adapt his game to different formats and situations. Daniel also takes us inside his memorable 208* against Western Australia, explains what he learned from training alongside Rashid Khan, discusses the standards of Alex Carey and South Australia's environment, and reveals some of the toughest bowlers he has faced. A fascinating conversation about batting, confidence, preparation, resilience and what it takes to score big runs at the professional level. 🎙️ The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast Exploring the strategic, psychological and human dimensions of cricket. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:37 Childhood & discovering cricket 01:57 How tennis shaped his batting 06:02 Evolving his technique 08:16 Coaches who shaped his game 10:51 Junior pathways & Matt Renshaw 13:36 Breaking into first grade at 17 15:49 Dealing with nerves & self-doubt 17:59 Winning the Bradman Medal 20:13 Second XI cricket & Brad Haddin 28:32 T20 intent & playing without fear 33:13 Facing Pakistan for Cricket Australia XI 35:52 Making his Sheffield Shield debut 37:43 The incredible run of 161*, 214* & 180 42:25 His batting routine & mental cues 46:19 Big Bash debut & learning from Rashid Khan 50:40 Scoring 130 against Victoria 53:49 Making the No. 3 position his own 56:47 The story behind his 208* 59:45 The difficulty of Sheffield Shield batting 1:02:53 South Australia's culture & teammates 1:05:35 Pregame routine, music & visualisation 1:07:54 Playing the situation without becoming defensive 1:10:23 What makes Alex Carey so successful 1:12:40 Toughest bowlers & best batters faced 1:15:11 Final thoughts
August 19 · 51 min
BPL Star Will Bosisto on Why Bangladesh's Win Over Australia Was No Surprise
🇧🇩 Bangladesh have beaten Australia, and according to Will Bosisto, who has played in the Bangladesh Premier League, this was no fluke. Will Bosisto returns to The Cerebral Cricketer for a fascinating breakdown of Bangladesh's emphatic Test victory over Australia, bringing a perspective few others can offer. As an Australian professional cricketer who has played in the BPL alongside and against several members of the Bangladesh setup, Will gives us an inside look at the talent, tactics and development behind this emerging side. We unpack why Bangladesh were able to outplay Australia across four days, how Hasan Mahmud's accuracy and subtle changes of pace troubled Australia's batters, and why Mehidy Hasan Miraz's tactical intelligence made his spell against Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne so impressive. Will also discusses Bangladesh's growing fast-bowling depth, including Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Mustafizur Rahman and Mushfiq Hasan, his experience working with coach Talha Jubair, and why Bangladesh's cricketing development is beginning to produce a more complete Test side. We also explore the other side of elite cricket, what happens psychologically when a player feels they are playing for their career, why pressure can be reframed as an opportunity, and how Will himself has recently produced one of the most remarkable runs of form of his career. After captaining teams to four consecutive tournament victories and collecting Player of the Tournament honours across all four, Will reveals one of the most important lessons he has learned about consistency: "If you want to be consistent at something, you have to do everything else consistently." From preparation, sleep and training habits to mindfulness, visualisation, tactical awareness and trusting yourself under pressure, this episode goes deep into what actually creates repeatable performance. A conversation about Bangladesh's rise, Australia's response, fast bowling, batting psychology, leadership, pressure and the habits behind sustained excellence. 🎙️ The Cerebral Cricketer Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:22 Bangladesh beat Australia, was it a shock? 04:04 Darwin conditions and home advantage 07:19 How much do practice games really matter? 11:11 Was Australia complacent? 13:17 Bangladesh's batting technique vs Australia 16:31 Technique, tactics and the mental side of batting 19:13 Why Hasan Mahmud's pace worked 22:56 Talha Jubair and Bangladesh's fast-bowling development 25:15 Bangladesh's fast-bowling depth 27:43 Mehidy Hasan Miraz's tactical brilliance 29:15 Should Bangladesh change a winning XI? 32:50 Jake Weatherald and playing for your career 37:37 Will Bosisto's four tournament wins 41:03 How Will chases under pressure 44:55 The secret to consistency 49:25 Final thoughts, Bangladesh and Will's future
August 2 · 1 hr 14 min
Ep 39 - From Hoppers Crossing to the Australian Team in 12 Months | How Fawad Ahmed Defied the Odds
Fawad Ahmed's journey is one of the most remarkable stories in Australian cricket. After arriving in Australia as an asylum seeker, Fawad went from playing local cricket at Hoppers Crossing to representing the Australian national team in less than 12 months. In this episode, we explore the incredible rise, the uncertainty, the pressure, and the mindset that shaped his journey. Fawad opens up about leaving Pakistan, rebuilding his life in Australia, working survival jobs, finding his way through Melbourne club cricket, and eventually earning the chance to wear the Australian shirt. We also discuss the craft of leg spin, the influence of Shane Warne, the mental battle of bowling, faith, prayer, blocking out external noise, and what it takes to keep believing when the odds seem stacked against you. This is a conversation about cricket, survival, faith, identity, resilience, and the inner journey behind performance. If you enjoy deep cricket conversations that go beyond technique and statistics, make sure to like, comment and subscribe to The Cerebral Cricketer. #FawadAhmed #AustralianCricket #CricketPodcast #TheCerebralCricketer #CricketAustralia #LegSpin #ShaneWarne #BBL #MelbourneCricket #CricketMindset Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:23 Learning leg spin in Pakistan 02:01 Backyard cricket, tape-ball and early cricket memories 03:16 Shane Warne's influence on Fawad Ahmed 04:20 Choosing leg spin in a fast-bowling culture 06:00 Personality, dressing-room energy and relationships 08:19 Meeting Shane Warne at the MCG 12:14 The advice Shane Warne gave him 13:25 Faith, hardship and arriving in Australia 16:25 Survival mode, halal food and adjusting to a new country 17:58 Fruit picking, fencing work and rebuilding his life 20:46 "Be a man and face it" 23:23 How cricket became a mental recharge 25:58 Did hardship give Fawad an edge? 30:03 Getting dropped, failure and coming back stronger 32:18 From Hoppers Crossing to playing for Australia 33:24 Did Fawad ever visualise playing for Australia? 35:04 Earning respect through performance 39:23 The pressure of playing international cricket 40:00 Bowling the final over against England 42:48 Less than 12 months from Hoppers Crossing to Australia 43:36 What changed from club cricket to the Australian team 48:21 Being Muslim in Australian cricket 50:01 Halal food, fasting and questions from teammates 54:19 Resilience, bad days and accepting hardship 56:00 Prayer, spirituality and blocking out the noise 58:50 Fajr, sleep and four-day cricket 1:04:05 Playing with cricket's biggest names 1:06:02 Pollard, Rashid Khan, Sunil Narine and T20 greats 1:08:15 Virat Kohli's impact on modern cricket 1:10:43 Final reflections 1:13:49 Outro
July 17 · 1 hr 24 min
Ep 38 - The Coach Behind First-Class Cricketers, Shannon Young on the Psychology of Player Development
We are joined by Shannon Young, founder of YoungGun Cricket and CEO of Cricket Performance Lab. Shannon is a former Richmond Cricket Club Head Coach in Victorian Premier Cricket and has worked across private coaching, Premier Cricket and high-performance pathway environments. He has helped develop home-grown first-class cricketers and brings a unique perspective on what it actually takes to progress from club cricket to higher levels of the game. In this conversation, we explore the psychology behind player development, understanding the person behind the cricketer, identifying behavioural patterns, building trust as a coach, and why modern coaching has to go beyond batting technique alone. We also discuss Cricket Performance Lab, cricket technology, bat fitting, BPI, game education, young talent, Premier Cricket, and what separates talented players from players who are genuinely ready for the next level. This episode is for cricketers, coaches, parents and serious cricket followers who want to better understand how modern players are developed, both technically and mentally. #CricketPodcast #ShannonYoung #TheCerebralCricketer #CricketCoaching #PlayerDevelopment #PremierCricket #CricketPerformanceLab Timestamps 00:00 Intro to Shannon Young 00:57 Shannon's coaching journey 02:00 Players Shannon has worked with 03:05 Cricket Performance Lab and elite players 04:20 Jason Gillespie, Richmond and Glenn Maxwell context 06:00 Premier Cricket's role in developing talent 08:15 Building Richmond's academy model 10:00 Talent, belief and hard coaching 12:30 Standards, fielding and the 1% mindset 15:00 Pressure, trust and giving players ownership 18:10 Identifying and stretching young talent 20:10 Backing youth over established club players 22:00 Talent, environment and decision-making 27:15 The one club approach at Richmond 32:00 Traditional coaching vs modern cricket 33:25 Shannon's traffic light system 35:00 Jake Fraser-McGurk, risk and match-winning talent 39:20 Technique, foundations and power hitting 45:00 Shannon's personal story and coaching philosophy 50:00 Coaching the person behind the player 54:00 Mental performance, self-awareness and pressure 56:10 Neurodiversity, life context and performance 1:00:00 Understanding player responses and the Mitch Perry story 1:06:00 Coaching philosophy beyond technique 1:10:00 Learning from elite players and asking why 1:11:20 Cricket Performance Lab explained 1:14:00 Bat fitting, BPI and the 1% edge 1:17:20 Babar Azam and CPL insights 1:21:20 Final advice for young cricketers 1:22:20 Jake Fraser-McGurk, Glenn Phillips and challenging the game 1:24:10 Outro
July 4 · 1 hr 16 min
Ep 37 - Tom Scollay from Cricket Mentoring on Why Many Young Cricketers Never Reach Their Potential
In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, we sit down with Tom Scollay, former professional cricketer for Middlesex and founder of Cricket Mentoring. Tom shares his journey from growing up in Alice Springs to playing professional cricket in England, including his experiences at Middlesex and Lord's. We also explore the deeper side of cricket development, including confidence, pressure, mindset, parental influence, preparation and why so many talented young cricketers struggle to reach their full potential. Tom also breaks down the philosophy behind Cricket Mentoring and its holistic approach to developing players beyond just technique, looking at the technical, tactical, mental, emotional, physical and lifestyle sides of the game. This conversation is a must-listen for young cricketers, parents, coaches and anyone interested in the mental and emotional side of cricket. Topics covered: * Tom's journey from Alice Springs to Middlesex * Playing professional cricket at Lord's * Why talent alone is not enough * The difference between coaching and mentoring * The mental and emotional side of cricket * How parents can better support young cricketers * Why players lose confidence and enjoyment * Cricket Mentoring's 6 Pillars of Success * How young cricketers can understand themselves better Guest: Tom Scollay Follow Cricket Mentoring: https://cricketmentoring.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cricketmentoring/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 01:17 Growing up in Alice Springs 03:00 Falling in love with cricket 06:23 Studying the game before smartphones 07:43 Playing for Northern Territory 09:29 Facing future Australian stars as a junior 11:52 Steve Smith and the viral net session 13:32 Playing against older cricketers 17:17 Moving to Perth and joining Melville 19:05 The move to England and Middlesex 21:55 Hitting 24 in the first over on trial 23:41 Earning a Middlesex contract 24:17 Playing with Eoin Morgan, Chris Rogers and Andrew Strauss 25:22 Playing with freedom and making a statement 38:08 Self-worth, results and young cricketers 40:16 What parents should say after a game 43:03 The danger of forcing your dream onto your child 46:20 Lord's debut, pressure and imposter syndrome 01:03:51 Technique, tactics and the mental side of batting 01:06:08 Cricket Mentoring's 6 Pillars of Success 01:06:57 Facing world-class T20 players 01:14:38 Advice for young cricketers 01:15:31 Outro
June 17 · 1 hr 13 min
Ep 36 - A Father's Sacrifice, A Son's Belief | The Rise of Australia U19 All-Rounder Aryan Sharma
We sit down with Aryan Sharma, an Australia U19 all-rounder and Victorian rookie, for a powerful conversation about cricket, family, belief and the journey towards professional cricket. Aryan's story is about much more than runs, wickets and selections. Behind his rise through the Australian pathway is a family story built on sacrifice, especially the role of his father, who came to Australia with $500 and spent years driving him to training, games and carnivals without complaint. Aryan opens up about representing Australia at U19 level, earning a rookie contract with Victoria, learning from elite players in the Melbourne Stars and Victorian environments, and the pressure of trying to build a professional cricket career at a young age. We also speak about confidence, faith, gratitude, taking positives from difficult situations, handling fear of failure, breathwork, batting with clarity, bowling spin in the modern game, and the mindset required to keep improving. This was a very honest and grounded conversation with one of the exciting young all-rounders coming through Australian cricket. Topics covered: • Australia U19 journey • Victoria rookie contract • Family sacrifice and immigrant story • His father's role in his cricket journey • Faith, gratitude and belief • Handling pressure and fear of failure • Breathwork and staying present • Confidence as a young cricketer • Learning from Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis and the Melbourne Stars • Batting, spin bowling and becoming a genuine all-rounder If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment and subscribe for more long-form conversations on cricket, mindset and performance. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 02:40 Learning from Glenn Maxwell 04:57 Becoming a genuine all-rounder 06:29 U19 World Cup semi-final pressure 08:22 Breathwork, nerves and clarity 09:59 Learning to bat longer 11:50 Red ball vs white ball mindset 12:56 Good risks vs bad risks 13:30 Aryan's early cricket journey 15:00 Becoming a left-arm spinner 18:57 Virat Kohli's influence 21:15 The viral Boxing Day Test poster 23:31 Faith, gratitude and perspective 27:00 Representing Australia U19s 28:04 His father's sacrifices 31:25 Family support and his sisters 33:06 His father coming to Australia with $500 35:33 U17 carnival and pathway cricket 38:47 Method to the madness 39:22 Confidence and fear of failure 43:03 Dressing room culture 44:07 Playing against future Australia U19 teammates 48:56 Australia U19 debut series against India 51:23 Oliver Peake and teammate success 54:26 Getting a Victoria rookie contract 55:12 No handouts, earning his place 56:44 Chris Rogers' advice 58:06 Melbourne Stars experience 01:01:13 Haris Rauf and facing high pace 01:02:26 Batting clarity and staying still 01:08:09 Breathwork, recovery and professionalism 01:09:52 Downtime, music and Ronaldo 01:13:09 Outro #Cricket #AryanSharma #AustraliaU19 #VictorianCricket #TheCerebralCricketer #CricketPodcast #CricketAustralia #MelbourneStars #CricketMindset
June 1 · 1 hr 2 min
Ep 35 – Harjas Singh: From Punjabi Martial Arts to Staying Present, Breathwork & Becoming a NSW Pro
We sit down with Harjas Singh, one of the most exciting young left-handed batters in Australian cricket. Harjas is a 2024 Under-19 World Cup winner, Australia's top scorer in the final against India, the Western Suburbs batter who smashed a record-breaking 314 off 141 balls, and has now earned his first NSW rookie contract. In this conversation, Harjas opens up about what the NSW rookie contract means to him, how life changes when cricket becomes your profession, and the hard work still ahead as he looks to push towards a full contract and future BBL opportunities. We also explore one of the most unique parts of Harjas' journey, his background in Sikh/Punjabi martial arts. Harjas explains how training with sticks and swords from a young age helped develop his wrist and arm strength, and how that physical base carries into his batting. This episode also dives deep into the mental side of the game. Harjas shares how breathwork helps him manage adrenaline, calm his nerves, stay present, and avoid getting caught up in past failures or future outcomes. He reflects on the mindset shift that helped him enjoy his cricket more, focus on his Monday to Friday preparation, and produce a breakout season in NSW Premier Cricket. A fascinating conversation on culture, power hitting, breathwork, pressure, staying present, and the journey from junior cricket to becoming a NSW professional. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:36 NSW rookie contract and becoming a pro 03:55 Punjabi martial arts and life outside cricket 08:30 Faith, adrenaline and demonstrations 10:00 How martial arts connects to batting 11:21 Breathwork and controlling nerves 14:02 Staying present and calm 16:10 Batting instincts, zones and the 314 mindset 19:14 Junior cricket, pressure and enjoying the game 22:23 Preparation over outcomes 23:44 Family, Westfields and his dad's influence 28:53 Facing genuine pace and Australia U19 selection 32:40 England U19 debut and Youth Test hundred 38:12 U19 World Cup memories 41:22 World Cup final against India 44:16 Sydney Sixers and learning from elite players 48:57 Breakout Premier Cricket season and adapting formats 52:19 Switching off between balls 54:35 Matchups, T20 batting and grade cricket lessons 57:12 Best players, hardest bowlers and best advice 01:00:10 Advice for young cricketers 01:00:59 Final words #HarjasSingh #TheCerebralCricketer #CricketPodcast #NSWCricket #SydneySixers #U19WorldCup #AustralianCricket #PunjabiCricket #CricketMindset #BattingTips #Breathwork #CricketTraining
May 18 · 1 hr 35 min
Ep 34 - NZ International Scott Kuggeleijn on "Why Most Cricketers Don't Truly Know Their Game"
In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, I'm joined by New Zealand international all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn for a deep and honest conversation about what it really takes to understand your game. Scott has represented the Black Caps across all three formats, built an outstanding domestic career with Northern Districts, and been part of elite IPL environments with Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. We dive into the mindset behind his explosive 19-ball fifty in New Zealand first-class cricket, why so many cricketers struggle to truly know their own game, and how players can avoid getting lost in technical overload, bad advice and the pressure to please coaches. Scott also opens up about his unique bowling action, learning from his father, developing self-awareness as a fast bowler, the worst advice he ever received, and the importance of honest conversations in cricket environments. We also discuss what it was like being around names like MS Dhoni, Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo, AB de Villiers, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Kieron Pollard, Kane Williamson, Daniel Vettori and Shaun Tait, plus the lessons he picked up across the IPL, CPL and other franchise tournaments. This is a must-watch for young cricketers, fast bowlers, all-rounders, coaches, and anyone interested in the mental side of cricket. Topics covered: Scott Kuggeleijn's cricket journey Growing up with a father who played for New Zealand His unique catapult-style bowling action The mindset behind his 19-ball fifty Why self-awareness matters in cricket How to handle coaching advice The danger of overthinking technique Shaun Tait's advice on bowling fast Kane Williamson's cricket mind Inside CSK, Mumbai Indians and RCB AB de Villiers' humility Virat Kohli's energy and confidence Fast bowling tactics and franchise cricket Subscribe for more deep-dive cricket conversations on mindset, performance, pressure and the inner game. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 00:39 Growing Up In A Cricket Family 01:45 Scott's Unique Bowling Action 05:23 Training For Fast Bowling 07:12 Becoming A Bowling All Rounder 08:04 The 19 Ball Fifty 10:01 The Mindset Behind The Innings 15:31 Why Overcoaching Can Hurt Players 16:27 Being Your Own Best Coach 19:30 Honest Conversations With Coaches 21:38 Why Some Players Get Stuck 28:19 The Worst Bowling Advice He Received 32:00 Knowing What Type Of Bowler You Are 36:22 Simple Mental Cues That Work 37:36 Understanding Your Role In The Team 40:43 Why Fast Bowlers Need Gears 45:28 The Jump To International Cricket 48:20 Shaun Tait's Advice On Bowling Fast 51:38 Kane Williamson And Daniel Vettori 53:24 Champions League T20 Lessons 55:57 Beating Mumbai Indians 58:20 Inside Chennai Super Kings 01:03:25 Why CSK Back Their Players 01:05:24 CSK's Calm Environment 01:06:45 Bowling To KL Rahul And Chris Gayle 01:09:10 Mumbai Indians And RCB Experiences 01:10:45 AB De Villiers' Humility 01:11:43 Virat Kohli's Energy 01:12:42 Franchise Cricket Around The World 01:15:13 The Cutthroat Reality Of Franchise Cricket 01:16:30 Handling Pressure In Professional Cricket 01:19:46 Life Outside Cricket 01:21:18 Test Cricket And England's Bazball Approach 01:26:21 Nathan Lyon, Australia And Steve Smith 01:28:07 Most Impressive Bowlers He Has Seen 01:29:38 Jesse Ryder And Shane Watson 01:32:49 Dutch Roots And Netherlands Cricket 01:34:48 Final Reflections
May 5 · 1 hr 27 min
Ep 33 - Italy's AJ Mosca on Their Historic World Cup Rise, Belief, Process & His Match-Winning 62*
In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, Italy international batter AJ Mosca breaks down the journey to Italy's first ever men's T20 World Cup, the mindset behind his match-winning 62 not out against Nepal, and the adjustments needed to succeed at the highest level of the game. AJ reflects on his cricketing journey from the Sydney grade system to the international stage, and shares how years of refinement, self-awareness and preparation helped shape his game. He opens up about preparing for elite bowling attacks, developing new scoring options against both spin and pace, and learning how to stay clear, composed and decisive in high-pressure moments. The conversation also explores the mental side of batting, including AJ's in-game process, the idea of flow state, and the importance of trusting your method when the stakes are at their highest. He also speaks powerfully about what Italy's rise meant to him personally, the emotion behind that historic World Cup moment, and why representing Italy alongside his brother made it even more special. This is a fascinating conversation on mindset, adjustment, identity and performance, and a deep insight into one of the most memorable stories of Italy's rise on the world cricket stage. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:43 Childhood, family and choosing cricket 05:50 Cricket in Rome 07:31 Crazy synthetic wickets 12:40 Early coaches and batting journey 17:46 Reflection and skill development 20:03 Building the baseball swing 23:47 The mental jump to international cricket 27:20 Facing pace and spin at World Cup level 34:07 Four years of World Cup preparation 38:32 The Nepal game plan 43:07 Flow state in the 62* 45:24 AJ's batting process explained 48:44 The emotion behind the celebration 53:44 Facing England with belief 56:00 Sydney grade teammates in Italy's side 01:04:35 Learning from big names in club cricket 01:06:23 Italy's World Cup learnings
April 29 · 1 hr 11 min
Ep 32 - CODE Sports' Daniel Cherny on Media, Player Narratives & Reality of Professional Cricket
What is it really like to live under the microscope as a professional cricketer? In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, I'm joined by Melbourne-based cricket journalist Daniel Cherny for a fascinating conversation on the hidden psychological side of professional cricket. We explore what high level cricketers have to deal with beyond pure performance, from media scrutiny and social media criticism to selection pressure, public narratives, and the mental toll of being constantly assessed. Daniel shares insights from years of covering Australian cricket, including how player reputations are formed, why certain narratives stick, how young players adjust to the spotlight, and what journalists observe about pressure that fans often miss. We also dive into Sheffield Shield cricket, Test cricket culture in Australia, and the evolving environment around elite players in the modern game. If you're interested in the mental side of cricket, selection dynamics, team culture, and the reality of life under the microscope, this is a must-watch. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:27 How Daniel Cherny got into sports journalism 02:02 Daniel's cricketing background 02:50 His journey from The Age to Code Sports 08:04 Victoria, cricket culture, and journalism 12:28 What makes covering cricket different 17:56 Sheffield Shield crowds and long format interest 21:49 Why Test cricket still dominates in Australia 26:11 Is Sheffield Shield still producing Test players? 33:21 The pressure jump to international cricket 40:32 How narratives stick to cricketers 49:46 How players handle being dropped 56:29 Social media and the mental toll on cricketers 01:02:03 Team culture and the modern Australian setup 01:08:14 Daniel's favourite journalism moments 01:09:39 The player unlucky to miss more Test cricket 01:10:24 Wrap up
April 16 · 1 hr 37 min
Ep 31 - USA's Shadley van Schalkwyk on the Mindset & Tactical Planning Behind His World Cup Rise
In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, Shadley van Schalkwyk opens up like never before. He reflects on growing up in Cape Town, coming through the South African system, losing his contract, and the mindset shift that changed his career. Shadley speaks honestly about self-belief, failure, faith, God and how his wife's encouragement pushed him to go all in again, including a brutal stretch of 4am gym sessions, highly specific training, and a full year of sacrifice to give himself one more shot at the biggest stage. He also breaks down the tactical thinking and bowling plans he used at the World Cup against India and Pakistan that helped drive his success. This is a deep conversation about resilience, process, identity, and what it really takes to keep going in professional cricket. Topics include: Shadley's childhood in Cape Town School sport, rugby, and early cricket development Losing his contract and rediscovering love for the game Self-belief, failure, and the mental side of cricket Faith, Belief in God and how it shapes his mindset 4am training, sacrifice, and preparation for the World Cup How he stayed ready when he was not expected to play Lessons from high-level cricket and life Timestamps 00:00 Intro and USA cricket 02:31 Growing up in Cape Town 06:49 Sport, failure and early lessons 08:48 Coaching and cricket development 13:41 From wicketkeeper to all-rounder 15:21 First-class debut 23:01 Advice, confidence and self-doubt 27:26 Losing his contract changed everything 32:26 Life lessons from cricket 34:41 Self-belief and handling doubt 42:52 Faith, God and letting go 48:01 First World Cup vs second World Cup 50:51 The 4am training grind 52:48 Redefining his role 56:31 Becoming a thinking cricketer 01:08:07 Recovery and body management 01:10:07 Tactical planning for India 01:20:15 Reflecting on USA's World Cup campaign 01:25:26 World Cup conversations and lessons 01:27:25 Beating Bangladesh before the World Cup 01:28:56 Facing South Africa's best
April 4 · 1 hr 21 min
Ep 30 - Western Australia's Opener Joel Curtis on the Mindset Behind His Rise in Domestic Cricket
We are joined by Western Australia wicketkeeper-batter Joel Curtis for a deep conversation on the mental and technical side of batting and handling self-doubt. We explore how backyard battles with his older brother shaped his competitiveness, how he developed his game, and the role Cricket Mentoring played in sharpening both his technique and mental approach. Joel opens up about playing in England, learning to trust his game, and how volume of cricket helped accelerate his development. He also reflects honestly on the pressure of second XI cricket, making his Sheffield Shield debut, getting a first-ball duck, and the self-doubt that followed, before later scoring his maiden Shield hundred for WA. If you enjoy cricket conversations that go beyond the surface and explore the mindset behind performance, this one is for you. Topics include: Joel Curtis, Western Australia cricket, Sheffield Shield, batting mindset, self-doubt, mental routines, wicketkeeper-batsman, grade cricket, Second XI cricket, first-class cricket, domestic cricket, cricket psychology, facing fast bowling, batting technique, cricket development. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:26 How Joel got into cricket 01:21 Growing up competitive with his older brother 03:41 Was he always a wicketkeeper-batter? 05:49 Learning without a technical coach 07:39 How backyard cricket shaped his batting 10:13 The impact of Cricket Mentoring 12:01 Batting fundamentals for young players 13:21 Why great batters play late 15:59 Does defense still matter in T20 cricket? 17:31 England, freedom and record-breaking runs 22:24 Why England fast-tracked his development 24:22 Grade cricket form and his WA opportunity 28:29 Advice for handling pressure opportunities 29:37 Joel's Sheffield Shield debut 32:48 First-ball duck, self-doubt and bouncing back 35:00 Reflecting on that dismissal and what he changed 36:54 Are Shield conditions harder for batters now? 39:58 The story behind his maiden Shield hundred 42:34 Preparing to face quality pace attacks 44:46 Batting in flow at Junction Oval 47:33 Learning from Mitch Marsh and WA's stars 50:37 How to train for genuine pace 52:57 Joel's batting routine 56:22 Adapting to different batting roles 59:38 MRF Academy, PM's XI and India experience 01:02:40 What India taught him about playing spin 01:04:18 Chasing 320 against Tasmania 01:07:05 Dressing room message during WA's tense chase 01:08:15 Sports psych, meditation and visualization 01:10:19 Handling self-doubt and mental chatter 01:13:21 Toughest bowler he has faced 01:13:58 Batters who impressed him most 01:14:54 His most satisfying innings 01:15:27 Best piece of advice he's received 01:19:12 Balancing work and cricket before his contract 01:20:47 Wrap up
March 27 · 1 hr 49 min
Ep 29 - ESPNcricinfo's Mohammad Isam Reveals the Crisis Behind Bangladesh Cricket
In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, we are joined by ESPNcricinfo Bangladesh correspondent Mohammad Isam for a deep conversation on the real state of Bangladesh cricket. We discuss why Bangladesh continues to produce talented players but struggles to consistently develop world-class cricketers, the impact of BCB politics, poor infrastructure, weak pathways, under-19 dependence, BKSP, coaching, and the cultural issues that continue to hold Bangladesh cricket back. Mohammad Isam also shares fascinating insights on overlooked cricketers, the rise of players like Rishad Hossain, the role of coaches such as Chandika Hathurusinghe, and why Bangladesh cricket still feels trapped between potential and instability. This is one of the most honest and in-depth conversations you'll hear on Bangladesh cricket. Topics include: - Bangladesh cricket structure - BCB politics - BKSP and under-19 cricket - Why talent gets wasted - Coaching in Bangladesh cricket - Rishad Hossain and leg spin - Domestic cricket problems - The future of Bangladesh cricket 🎙 About The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast The Cerebral Cricketer is a coaching led podcast that goes inside the minds of current players, coaches and specialists, focusing on plans, spaces and the mental skills that separate good from world class.
March 8 · 1 hr 49 min
Ep 28 - Zimbabwe's Brad Evans Reveals His Strategies & Mindset as a Top 10 T20 Bowler in the World
Zimbabwe's Brad Evans sits down to unpack the real story behind his rise, from fringe seamer to one of the most effective T20 bowlers in the world. This is not just highlights and memories, it is a deep dive into the plans, spaces and mental frameworks he uses every time he competes for Zimbabwe. From that famous last over against Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, to his five for against India in Harare and his Test five for against Afghanistan, Brad breaks down how he thinks about plans, pressure and patience at the highest level. This conversation is packed with practical lessons for fast bowlers, allrounders and coaches who care about the mental side of the game. 🧠 What we cover in this episode - Is Brad a naturally cerebral cricketer, and how growing up with Craig Evans shaped his cricket brain - Why his dad focused on enjoyment, not expectation, and how that protected his mindset - The Sri Lanka Cricketer camp, training in heat and humidity, and creating a cricket retreat environment - Low balls and bouncers, elite focus drills, and the coin exercise that changed how he watches the ball - Understanding spaces and body shapes rather than copying Kohli or Green - Technical tweaks to movement and alignment, and how posture at the crease shifts intent - The mindset shift from fearing getting out to seeing himself as a run scorer - A walk through of the last over vs Pakistan, sticking to his plan after getting hit - How that game changed how Zimbabwe fans, teammates and Brad himself saw his role - The India ODI series, dealing with imposter syndrome and taking a five for against a world giant - Test cricket patience, long spells, and his Afghanistan five for as a reward for discipline 🎙 About The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast The Cerebral Cricketer is a coaching led podcast that goes inside the minds of current players, coaches and specialists, focusing on plans, spaces and the mental skills that separate good from world class. Subscribe for more deep dives with international cricketers and high level coaches. If you enjoyed this episode with Brad Evans - Leave a comment with your favourite insight - Share this with a teammate or coach - Subscribe to the channel and hit the bell so you do not miss future episodes #BradEvans #ZimbabweCricket #T20Cricket #CricketPodcast #CricketMindset #FastBowler #SriLankaCricketer Timestamps 00:00 Intro and who Brad Evans is 02:00 Is Brad a naturally cerebral cricketer, growing up with Craig Evans 07:00 Dad's philosophy, enjoyment over expectation 11:30 Sri Lanka camp experience and training environment 18:30 Focus on low balls and bouncers, vision and focus drills 27:30 Working with Toby Radford, understanding his game and spaces 37:00 Technical tweaks, movement, balance and batting posture 47:30 Mindset shift, from fearing getting out to scoring runs 58:00 Pakistan T20 World Cup game and build up to the final over 1:07:30 Bowling the last over vs Pakistan, sticking to his plan 1:16:00 Aftermath of that win, change in confidence and perception 1:23:00 India ODI series, five wicket haul and partnership with Sikandar Raza 1:33:00 Test cricket mindset, patience and Afghanistan five for 1:42:00 Key lessons for cricketers and closing thoughts
February 15 · 1 hr 57 min
Ep 27 - Former NZ Bowling Coach Shane Jurgensen Reveals How to Build a World-Class Pace Attack
World Renowned Bowling Coach Shane Jurgensen joins The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast to break down the real blueprint behind a world-class pace attack. Shane shares the practical cues he used with elite quicks, how to build speed without overthinking technique, and the hidden "durability rules" that keep fast bowlers on the park. He also breaks down the behind-the-scenes strategy work, the bowling group meetings, planning fields to "bowl to your strengths", and using decoy setups when bowling to elite batters like Steve Smith and Virat Kohli. Shane also unpacks the moments that defined that era, including the World Cup final heartbreak (the "15 for 4" moment that felt like the cup was finally theirs), and what tournament cricket teaches you about momentum, luck, and composure. We discuss: - The core idea Shane drills into bowlers: "something creates something", how run-up rhythm shapes action, and action shapes power and control - A simple external-focus hack to unlock extra pace, including the keeper-glove target and what it did for Kyle Jamieson's speed - The mindset cue Shane gives his bowlers: "stay calm, play savage", and why every ball is a fresh event - Why many fast bowlers break down, and the "30% rule" Shane used for Test prep (plus how he monitored workloads across NZ) - The strength standards behind elite pace, including the squat numbers NZ quicks were hitting, and the forces going through the body at landing - Prehab habits Shane rates (therabands, medicine ball work) and why they matter for both body and mind Timestamps 00:00:00 Intro, building a world-class pace attack 00:04:22 Early influences, why wickets matter more than just economy 00:07:29 Coaching simplification, learning from Merv Hughes 00:13:28 Keeper-glove targeting, the drill that helped Kyle Jamieson find extra pace 00:25:50 Playing journey, emotional control, "stay calm, play savage" 00:31:31 Youth Test story, "7 for 4" and what it taught him 00:33:23 Pura Cup final, 11 wickets, long spells, what those days demanded 00:36:09 Workload and injuries, the "30% rule" for Test intensity 00:50:25 Niggles vs real injury, recovery and warning signs 00:52:18 NZ bowling coach (2008–2010), Bond, Martin, Vettori, video and run-up timing 00:56:23 The Vettori camp, run-up mechanics and timing (heel strike vs toes) 01:04:02 Bangladesh stint, adapting bowling plans to conditions and people 01:21:04 Building analysis for the 2019 World Cup, leadership under Kane Williamson 01:22:48 "Decoy fields" and strategy vs Virat Kohli 01:27:15 Semi-final atmosphere in Manchester, bowling partnerships and roles 01:29:15 World Cup final prep at Lord's, plans vs Roy and Bairstow 01:35:48 The "15 for 4" moment, what coaches feel in that chaos 01:42:59 World Test Championship final, nerves and pressure inside the camp 01:44:36 Facing a 16-year-old Steve Smith, plus Warner and Khawaja memories 01:50:05 "Heavy ball" explained, why some bowlers feel uniquely dangerous 01:52:19 The bowler who impressed him most, Matt Henry, training in high-intensity blocks 01:53:13 Why Tom Blundell deserved more white-ball chances 01:54:24 Wrap up, patience, process, and winning over time
February 1 · 48 min
Ep 26 - Afghanistan Batting Coach Toby Radford Reveals the Secret Blueprint World Class Batsmen Use
Afghanistan's newly appointed batting coach Toby Radford joins The Cerebral Cricketer fresh off a win in Dubai, straight after a fast turnaround from the Bangladesh Premier League. In this episode, Toby breaks down what he looks for in elite batting across formats, from T20 game awareness and middle overs planning, to the technical "non negotiables" he believes most world class players share. We go deep on alignment, balance, triggers, playing late, soft hands, and the small details that can be the difference between being slightly out of form and back in rhythm. We also get practical on how those ideas translate in the nets and in match scenarios, Toby talks through the "option + execution" test he uses for every shot, and why T20 scoring can still come from proper cricket shots and low risk areas rather than slogging. What you'll learn How franchise coaching differs from international and county setups, what actually gets coached when players are in and out quickly T20 batting on slow turners vs true wickets, how to maximise the new ball and survive the middle overs "Option + execution", Toby's simple framework for every shot selection decision The alignment blueprint, head over feet, hands close, and why so many dismissals start with posture and early movement Triggers that work, triggers that ruin your setup, and how timing your movement changes everything Playing late drills, including a simple machine setup that forces better timing and control Toby Radford is a former first class cricketer for Middlesex and Sussex, who later became Head Coach at Middlesex and Head Coach at Glamorgan. He has worked internationally as West Indies batting coach, then held senior development roles as Head of High Performance at the Bangladesh Cricket Board and Batting Coach at the Pakistan Cricket Board High Performance Centre. He has been the Head Coach of Dhaka Capitals and has been appointed Afghanistan's batting coach. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:04 Toby's Afghanistan appointment 0:59 BPL to Dubai turnaround, win vs West Indies 1:34 Franchise cricket pace, what gets coached early 11:13 Option + execution, shot selection framework 15:14 Alignment, the straight line concept 17:19 Balance, head over feet, 60/40 weight cue 18:19 Stance width, white ball vs red ball setups 19:55 Foot movement, head goes first 21:18 Playing late drill, bowling machine setup 23:08 Unorthodox players, still the same fundamentals 27:11 Saif Hassan case study, balance at ball release 33:39 Trigger movement, timing, keep it minimal 38:04 Backlift and toe position, slower vs bouncier pitches 39:59 Coaching the short ball, what good looks like 41:56 Soft hands vs hard hands, shifting gears 45:33 Underrated batters to watch 48:57 Wrap up
January 21 · 1 hr 33 min
Ep 25 - How Tasmania's Top Order Batter Tim Ward Defied The Odds & Cracked Into Domestic Cricket
Tasmania and Hobart Hurricanes top order batsman Tim Ward joins the show to share how he made it into domestic cricket without the "usual" pathway, including missing age group carnivals and using that setback as fuel. We unpack the NSW to Tasmania move, the rookie contract call, how to adapt your game to T20 cricket and what it took to earn his place in the setup. Plus, Tim breaks down his notebook method for building innings (first 30 balls, then layers), and a BBL story where "be brave" turned into laps, ramps, and momentum. This episode explores unseen side of making it, what it feels like when the pathway doesn't pick you, how Tim stayed patient, kept improving, and turned the NSW to Tassie move into a real opportunity. In this ep: • Pathway setbacks, and why there are multiple roads • The decision to leave NSW, and back himself in Tassie • Simple batting checkpoints, and "bat like George Worker" • Playing brave in T20, lap and ramp under pressure Timestamp 00:00 Intro, Tasmania opener Tim Ward 00:00:25 Hurricanes finals vibe, team culture and confidence 00:05:43 White ball prep, being brave, ramps and unconventional shots 00:13:24 Decision making under pressure, using your partner at the crease 00:14:37 Growing up with cricket, early influences 00:23:08 Grade cricket grind, climbing through the levels 00:26:07 203 not out, missing the Under 19 carnival, proving a point 00:31:44 Goal setting, handling low scores, staying honest with yourself 00:39:47 First 30 balls method, "bat like George Worker" mindset 00:44:44 UK stint, adapting to different conditions 00:45:56 Journaling and match prep, building routines 00:54:09 NSW to Tasmania move, rookie contract, breaking into the setup 01:16:59 White ball flexibility, expanding and contracting your game 01:24:20 BBL chase story, dropped Warner, "be brave" and the lap shot 01:29:55 Quickfire wrap up, toughest bowlers, closing thoughts

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