📍 THE WEEK’S RADAR

• Perth Test reveals Labuschagne's template trouble: 2 runs, 52 balls, big questions

• Inside Brook's technique: Making Test batting look easy

• Pink ball science: What makes twilight cricket different

• Smart training: Budget solutions for lateral movement practice

• Performance mindset: Moving beyond the winning obsession

• Multiple cricket roles open: From High Performance Director to Cricket Operations

FROM THE ANALYSIS BOX

Defence or Defiance: What Marnus Missed

Marnus Labuschagne's Perth struggle—two runs from fifty-two balls—reflects a departure that's cost Australia dear. His pre-series aim to emulate Pujara's template in the five-Test series might seem tactically astute, but without Warner's top-order momentum, it jars. At first drop, Ponting's counterattacking template defined an era where batting wasn't just survival—it was Australian cricket's inherent rhythm. As the series progresses, Australia's resurgence hinges on rediscovering their calculated authority.

How Does Brook Make It Look So Easy?

Watch Cook dissect Brook's batting technique—analysis of his brilliant 171 against New Zealand. At its core lies solid fundamentals: head and hands aligned under eyes, modern high backlift and pronated wrists generating surprising power. His control stands out: while most batters with loaded backlifts rush, Brook's impact points stay remarkably late. Imperious against anything short, he arrives at the crease ready—no settling-in period needed, just presence and swift adaptation.

COACH’S KIT BAG

Deceptive Deviation on a Dime!

Imagine recreating practice against lateral movement on a shoestring budget: a taped hard tennis ball with a hairband seam. The hairband mimics a cricket ball’s raised seam, gripping the pitch to produce realistic deviation. Simple, affordable, and endlessly effective. Ready to take your practice to the next level? 🎯

THE SCIENCE OF SKILL

Seam Through The Kinetic Chain

Siraj's pink ball analysis reveals that reduced swing necessitates back-of-length bowling with precise seam presentation. The wrist—though a complex three-directional joint—functions as the final link in bowling's kinetic chain, which explains why isolated wrist-flick practice falls short. Effective seam bowling therefore demands kinesthetic awareness: developing seam control through complete bowling repetitions while maintaining stability via controlled backspin, all flowing within natural rhythm.

WATCH: Why Backspin Matters - Lee, Zaheer Break It Down

Pink Ball Through Science And Sense

The minutest change in a cricket ball's composition can alter match dynamics dramatically. While all balls share identical cores—cork wrapped in yarn and leather—ensuring consistent bounce and hardness, their finishing sets them apart. The white ball uses undyed leather, the red adds nitrocellulose lacquer, but the pink ball evolves from red leather: once dyed, it receives an extra colour film beneath the identical lacquer, plus a black seam for twilight visibility. Players sense different behaviour—likely from evening moisture rather than chemistry.

WATCH: Pink vs Red Ball - Pujara Explains

BETWEEN THE EARS

Coaching the Complete Competitor

Listen closely — we need to shift how we frame competition for athletes. Here's why: The game is complex, and they're biologically wired to react to threats. When fixated purely on winning, they fight their own nature. Help them redefine success: It's about executing every action with their best possible mindset. Teach relentless focus, alert intensity, and positive intent. Build mental skill, not just victory pursuit.

Job Board

JOB OF THE WEEK 🏏

High Performance Director, USA Cricket

The High-Performance Director shall be responsible for the management of all elements of USA Cricket’s high performance National Teams and agreed upon national competition programs.

🔗View Complete Job Board 🔗

HOUSE OF COACHES

When Training Drifts—What Next?

Watch your session unfold with a keen eye—sometimes you sense the rhythm isn't quite right. The energy dips, confusion surfaces, and that well-crafted plan begins to drift. That's your moment to pause and recalibrate. Rather than persisting with complexity, find strength in simplicity: a basic drill reimagined, a competitive element that sparks joy. Remember, these apparent setbacks aren't failures—they're golden opportunities to evolve, shaping both coach and player alike.

_{Coaching Pro - Cricket Edition is a Contentive Publication in the Sports Division}