The Cricket Library

Elsa Hunter - WBBL Vibes

In this uplifting episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, Sydney Sixers rising star Elsa Hunter joins us for a vibrant conversation during a crucial stretch of the WBBL season. Elsa shares her insights on the Sixers' strong team vibe, the calm and powerful leadership of new captain Ash Gardner, and what it’s like learning from icons such as Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, and the squad’s international talent.

She reflects on her journey from playing local boys’ cricket in Malaysia to becoming a WNCL champion with the NSW Breakers, opening up about finding joy in the game, coping with pressure on the big stage, and navigating the friendly but fierce Sixers–Thunder rivalry.

Elsa also talks about the influence of different coaches, the importance of the mental side of cricket, and her dream of one day representing Australia.

A warm, inspiring, and engaging chat with one of the brightest young talents in the game.

Tune in and enjoy!

Dr John Orchard - New Chapters in Cricket & Medicine

In this must-listen episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, Matt Ellis chats with Dr John Orchard, one of the world’s most respected voices in sports medicine. With decades of experience treating elite cricketers, Dr Orchard shares stories from his journey in the game, the evolution of injury management, and the driving forces behind his newly released book, Cricket Sports Medicine.

What you’ll learn in this episode: Insights into injury prevention, management, and recovery in elite sport What goes on behind the scenes when star players get injured The collaborative effort behind Cricket Sports Medicine — a first-of-its-kind comprehensive resource Why cricket-specific care needs a multidisciplinary approach.

About the Book: Cricket Sports Medicine This groundbreaking text brings together leading experts from around the globe to provide a holistic, evidence-based guide to managing cricketers’ health. Covering everything from biomechanics and load management to lumbar stress fractures, nutrition, and mental well-being, it’s an essential resource for any healthcare professional working in cricket — from grassroots to international level.

Whether you’re a cricket tragic, a sports medicine enthusiast, or someone working in athlete care, this episode is packed with wisdom, experience, and forward-thinking.

Faye Tunnicliffe - Pursuing Excellence

Faye Tunnicliffe is our latest guest on the Cricket Library Podcast!

Delve into the world of someone dedicated to pursuing excellence and getting the best out of herself as a cricketer and human being.

Faye shares with us the origins of her passion for cricket, her health and fitness journey, and learning to solve the Rubik's Cube.

She delivers insights into her progression into the South African team and the personal growth that has helped shape her along the way.

The world record holder for the longest net session opens up about the incredible achievement and reveals her invitation list for her dream cricket net.

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.

Monali Patel - From Passion to Profession

In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, we are joined by former Canadian cricketer Monali Patel, whose remarkable journey in cricket has taken her across continents.

Monali shares how she discovered the sport as a teenager, her experiences representing Canada on the international stage, and what it was like to travel to Australia to play with the Northern Districts Cricket Club in Sydney.

She also reflects on her transition into coaching and broadcasting, offering insights into her evolving role in the game.

You can tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, passion, and the love of cricket.

Malcolm Conn - Behind The Headlines

In the latest edition of the Cricket Library Podcast, award-winning cricket writer Malcolm Conn joins us for an engaging conversation about his many decades of covering cricket.

Mal shares the origins of his passion for cricket growing up in the country, getting his first gig as a journalist, travelling the world covering the cricket, and taking us behind the scenes of one of the biggest stories in world cricket, for which he won a Walkley Award.

He reflects on his early memories of watching Shane Warne bowl in Sri Lanka, Matthew Hayden's incredible 1st Class run tally on the 1993 Ashes tour without playing a test match and his approach to building relationships with players as a journalist.

Finally, Mal shares with us who is on his invitation list for a 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.

 

 

 

James Knight - The Gift of Stories

This week, we’re thrilled to bring you the inspiring story of James Knight—a master storyteller, literacy advocate, cricket tragic and bestselling author.

In this heartfelt conversation, James reflects on his journey from bush cricket fields to discovering the rich tapestry of cultures through cricket. He opens up about his battles with depression and shares how his experiences have shaped a life dedicated to making a positive difference.

We also dive into his latest book, The Spirit of the Warriors, and explore how he uses storytelling to inspire others and foster a love of literacy.

Needless to say, we will ensure James shares with us who is on his invitation list to his dream cricket net session.

Don’t miss this powerful episode about cricket, culture, resilience, and the extraordinary impact the summer game can have on those connected to it. 

 

 

Patrick Farhart - Unlocking Peak Performance

In this episode of the Cricket Library Podcast, Matt Ellis sits down with esteemed physiotherapist Patrick Farhart, who has worked with some of the most successful cricket teams around the world in a career spanning many years.

The conversation opens with Farhart's journey into cricket, a sport his family initially knew little about. From playing club cricket to an unexpected call-up to the Australian cricket team's 1989 Ashes tour, Farhart shares engaging anecdotes that brilliantly illustrate his passion for both cricket and physiotherapy.

Throughout the episode, key insights into building successful cricket teams are unveiled, discussing elements like leadership, openness, and communication. Patrick details his experiences with legendary cricketers and the impact of coaches like John Buchanan, shedding light on evolving coaching dynamics and team management strategies. He also delves into his profound learning experiences and the importance of work-life balance amid frequent travels.

Diving into injury prevention, particularly for fast bowlers, Farhart shares his desire to make lasting contributions to cricket through systematic research and cutting-edge methodologies. 

Patrick gives listeners a window into what it is like working in the larger than life Indian Premier League as well as some insights into his current role at Cricket NSW.

Of course we will ask Patrick who is three invites would be to a 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.