As the bowler moves in from the top of his mark, I focus on the 156g red projectile in his right hand. Fingers evenly spaced on either side of the seam as he prepares to send down another thunderbolt.

Keeping my mind clear is the Ronan Keating song I have jammed in my head

“The smile on your face let’s me know that you need me”

It is all so calm and peaceful as the bowler drops it short

“There’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me”

I instinctively transfer my weight onto the back foot and cut the ball

“The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me wherever I fall”

It races away to the point boundary to bring up my half-century.

As I raise the bat, I ponder, “Why isn’t batting always this easy?”

Shane Watson has been able to shed some light on this question of mine in his insightful book “The Winner’s Mindset” in which he outlines how he would successfully use songs to help block out any negative thinking and focus on the task at hand.

He is not the only player to have used this technique with some popular footage of Virender Sehwag showing him singing along whilst hitting a ball over the pickets in the IPL.

Going back to the 1983 summer, David Bowie appeared on the front cover of Australian Cricket Magazine after GRJ Matthews famously credited a David Bowie rehearsal at the Sydney Showground for keeping him on track to score runs against Pakistan at the neighbouring Sydney Cricket Ground.

Matthews recounted the moment for Australian Cricket Magazine in 1983 telling Tony Adams

“I’d just gone out to the wicket when this thundering noise came across from the Showground next door… it was Bowie rehearsing for his Sydney concert.

“I’m a real fan of his and the music helped me no end. I’m often tense at the crease but I was able to relax in between balls and the music had me in a fantastic state of mind.

“I just wish I could bat to music more often; one of the boys suggested he’d put a Bowie tape over the public address system every time I went out to bat and it is not a bad idea.”

It was not a bad idea in 1983 and it is a method I would recommend in 2024. What will be the soundtrack of your success next summer?

Xara Jetly – The X-Factor – The Cricket Library

Xara Jetly is a passionate and accomplished cricketer who is making waves in professional women's cricket. At just 22 years old, Xara has already established herself as a key player for Wellington and has experience playing in the UK to hone her skills further. Known for her extraordinary fielding abilities and unique approach to the game, she aims to revolutionise women's cricket while inspiring younger generations. Xara is a digital marketing professional and an emerging social media influencer dedicated to engaging and inspiring her followers with authentic content. In this engaging episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, host Matt Ellis welcomes the dynamic Xara Jetly. A young lady who is living her dream, playing professional cricket and inspiring young athletes globally. From her beginnings in New Zealand to her current stint in the UK, Xara shares her journey, the challenges she faces, and her relentless drive to excel in the sport she loves. Throughout the episode, Xara discusses her early love for sports and how cricket eventually became her primary focus. She highlights the significant roles played by influential coaches and the transition from recreational to professional cricket. Offering insights into her training regimes, mental conditioning, and the importance of fielding, Xara provides a comprehensive look into what it takes to succeed as a young female cricketer. She also delves into the impact of social media on her career, her burgeoning role as a digital entrepreneur, and the ways she aims to inspire future generations. Needless to say, Xara enlightens us on who she would most like to invite to her dream cricket net session. This is an episode that you do not want to miss! Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a positive review to help us to continue sharing stories that inspire a love of cricket.      

1. Xara Jetly – The X-Factor 40:52
2. Richard Chee Quee – Breaking Barriers & Inspiring Change 01:20:46
3. Shane Jurgensen – Journeyman 50:27
4. Courtney Sippel – Bringing the Heat 37:04
5. Surbhi Vaid – Star on the Rise 51:37