A Load of BS on Sport
A Load of BS on Sport: The Behavioural Science Podcast
Jimmy Anderson : Cricket Legend on Retirement, Mental Toughness & 20 Years at the Top
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Jimmy Anderson : Cricket Legend on Retirement, Mental Toughness & 20 Years at the Top

In this captivating episode, cricket legend Jimmy Anderson joins us for a candid conversation about his remarkable career spanning over two decades. The England bowling great opens up about his controversial retirement, the mental and physical challenges of Test cricket, and what keeps him motivated to continue playing county cricket into his 40s.

🔥 KEY THEMES:

RETIREMENT & AGE DISCRIMINATION Anderson reveals he still feels capable of playing at international level and discusses how age discrimination affects not just sport but society at large. "I'm sure if the number 42 wasn't next to my name on the team sheet, I'd still be putting my name in the hat for series to come."

MENTAL HEALTH & PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGY For the first time, Jimmy shares his experience with hypnotherapy and how it transformed his performance: "I went through a period of probably two or three years of using hypnotherapy... My performances around that time went through the roof."

THE PHYSICAL & MENTAL TOLL OF TEST CRICKET Anderson shares a revealing anecdote about the extreme demands of Test cricket: "Our bodies were in such pain and mentally we were shot... we did four laps of Regent's Park in the car because we didn't want to go to the ground."

RIVALRIES & MIND GAMES From his approach to different Australian players to personal rivalries with Michael Clarke, Anderson provides fascinating insights into the psychological aspects of fast bowling: "There were certain batters that you try and just get in the head... It's actually trying to put them off their game or out of their rhythm."

LEGACY & THE FUTURE OF CRICKET "I'd love for some kids to get into swing bowling because they'd watch me do it... I think I'd like to see the skill side of bowling stay in the game."

Listen as one of cricket's greatest fast bowlers reflects on the friendships formed during his career, his techniques for maintaining calm under pressure, and his experiences facing the world's best batsmen. This conversation offers rare insights into the mind of a sporting great who has bowled over 50,000 deliveries in international cricket.

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