📍 THE WEEK’S RADAR

• Axar at No.5: 40+ average & 90+ SR disrupts opponents' bowling plans

• Range Hitting Science: The neural adaptations behind clutch-moment power hitting

• Zwingo Balance Board: Train AB de Villiers' ‘Tight Box’ technique with precision

• Neuroscience of Runs: Rizwan's 68% batting improvement through mind reprogramming

• Why Variety Wins: The surprising data behind multi-sport cricket excellence

• Champion Mindset: Master attention, activation & action-execution

FROM THE ANALYSIS BOX

Balancing Act: Axar's No.5 Impact

India's use of Axar Patel at 5 disrupts bowling rhythms of teams by breaking right-handed monotony. His 40+ average and 90+ strike-rate against spin outperforms all Indian batsmen through middle overs, allowing Rahul (131.25 strike-rate at death) to maximise finishing duties. Axar's measured aggression, power-hitting against spinners, and 4.35 bowling economy delivers precisely what modern ODI cricket demands—a dual-skilled player solving multiple tactical problems at once. His Champions Trophy performances vindicated the specialised role assigned to him beyond doubt.

Range Hitting: The Science of Clutch Moments?

Range hitting optimises batsmen's kinetic chain and develops fast-twitch muscles for explosive power. Studies show it increases neural efficiency by 30%. These biomechanical adaptations build the confidence to access power at crucial moments —essential for last-over heroics. Regular practice enhances decision-making under pressure, expanding strategic options when boundaries matter most.
Watch Hetmyer, one of the cleanest strikers in world cricket, demonstrate range hitting at the Rajasthan Royals practice session.

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The Danielle Gibson Story

Danielle Gibson went from weekend waitressing to playing for Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League - a journey that wasn't predetermined. Though her early work experience wasn't formative to her athletic identity, it was a temporary phase before she could fully commit to cricket.
As an all-rounder with international ambitions, her advice to developing cricketers remains refreshingly simple: "Keep having fun, play multiple sports, and never fear asking questions."

COACH’S CORNER

Zwingo Balance Board!

AB de Villiers' "Tight Box" concept keeps impact points, bat, feet, and head contained within an imaginary boundary, ensuring compact technique and optimal control. The Zwingo Balance Board accelerates this skill development by requiring precise weight transfer - any error causes immediate imbalance, effectively training the subconscious control essential to the Tight Box principle.

THE SCIENCE OF SKILL

Neuroscience of Runs

Pybus's work with Rizwan shows how cognitive reprogramming impacts performance metrics. By restructuring mental processes rather than physical technique, Rizwan's batting average improved 19.35 points (68% increase). This neural rewiring transferred conscious batting frameworks to unconscious execution pathways—similar to Formula 1 engineering principles applied to human performance. Data confirms: mental architecture optimisation precedes physical performance elevation.

Why Variety Wins?

Research indicates multi-sport participation benefits cricketers over early specialisation. Studies show specialised athletes face 50% higher chronic knee injury risk. Multi-sport training develops crucial FMS (agility, coordination), distributes physical stress reducing overuse injuries (stress fractures, rotator cuff), and enhances psychological resilience. Elite cricketers (de Villiers, Waugh, Rhodes) attribute success to diverse sporting backgrounds. Evidence supports early sampling for superior motor skills, injury prevention, and adaptability in cricket.

BETWEEN THE EARS

Taking Control

Elite athletes command three specific mental domains:

• Attention - directing focus despite emotions

• Activation - maintaining optimal alertness

• Action-execution - competing with purpose and energy

Champions seize absolute ownership of their mindset, striking at challenges before challenges strike them. They exercise complete authority over mind and body with iron discipline, staying purposeful throughout competition.

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JOB OF THE WEEK 🏏

England Women’s Cricket Pathway (EWCP) Lead Scout

We wish to recruit the following EWCP Lead Scout roles that will enable key scouting observations to be collected, collated and presented across the key disciplines of the game..

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