Mindset | thecricketlibrary.com

Kepler Wessels faced a hurdle in his career when he played the West Indies in 1984. He made 32 runs in his four innings in the West Indies and In the first test in Perth he made 13 and 0 with runs needed in Brisbane to keep his spot in the team.

After a first-innings duck, Kepler changed his mindset to have an incredible summer, notching 61, 98, 70, 90, and 0 with an epic 173 in the Sydney Test to prove his credentials against the premier pace bowling attack in the world.

He spoke with Matt Ellis on the Cricket Library Podcast about the shift in approach that helped him to have success and what that success meant to him.

@mattellis33
Kepler Wessels speaks about having the mindset to overcome the West Indies pace attack when they were at the peak of their powers. #keplerwessels #cricket #podcast #fyp #retro
♬ original sound – MJ Ellis

In the interview Kepler also shares his reflections on the origins of his passion for cricket, breaking into First Class Cricket at age 16 whilst still at school, moving to England and the influence of Tony Greig in getting him to Australia to play World Series Cricket.

We hear about Kepler’s test debut, where he made a big hundred, and we clear up who was to blame for the run-out of Greg Chappell in that innings.

Kepler speaks of the surprise of returning to play international cricket for South Africa, the thrill of beating Australia in their first game of the 92 World Cup and the disappointment of bowing out in a rain-affected semi-final.

He shares the plan they hatched to dismiss Allan Border in the famous Sydney Test Match of 1994 and the elation of scoring a century at Lord’s at the back end of his career.

Kepler updates us on what he is up to now, including his work at Kepler Wessels Training.

Of course, we don’t let him get away without asking who the three people he would most like to join him at the cricket nets.

Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a review to help us to continue to start conversations that inspire a love of cricket.

Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game – The Cricket Library

Former West Indies opening batter, Adrian Griffith joins the Cricket Library Podcast for a fascinating and deeply reflective conversation about cricket, identity, purpose, and life beyond the game. Growing up in Barbados, Adrian rose through Caribbean cricket to become an opening batter for the West Indies cricket team during one of the most compelling eras in world cricket. He shares stories from his early journey into first-class cricket, touring Australia, facing elite fast bowling, and the pressures that come with representing the maroon cap at the highest level. One of the highlights of the episode is Adrian reflecting on his remarkable Test match against New Zealand, where he became the first West Indian cricketer to bat on all five days of a Test match — a rare and unique achievement in cricket history. Adrian also revisits the unforgettable Test against Australia where Brian Lara produced one of the greatest innings the game has ever seen, offering incredible insight into Lara’s brilliance and the atmosphere surrounding that iconic moment in cricket and the story behind his selection in the team. Beyond the playing field, Adrian discusses his transition into officiating as an ICC match referee and his current work with AGC, where he continues contributing to leadership, mentoring, and the development of people within and beyond cricket. While the conversation celebrates Test cricket, West Indies history, and unforgettable moments, it also explores a deeper theme — that achievements on the field do not fully define a person’s worth. Adrian shares thoughtful reflections on transition, identity, leadership, and building a meaningful life beyond cricket. Topics include: • The significance of the Maroon West Indies Cricket Cap • Touring Australia • Batting on all five days of a Test match • Test cricket pressures • Caribbean cricket culture • ICC match refereeing • Leadership and mentoring • AGC and life after cricket • Purpose and identity beyond sport If you love cricket history, long-form conversations, and powerful human stories from inside the game, this episode is for you.