In this episode, we chat to Gus Sloan, a superstar in the Global T20 Tournament "Last Man Stands (LMS)" (youngest anointed 'Legend' in LMS history!), to dive deep into his incredible journey, from playing rugby league as a teenager to becoming one of the most prolific players in LMS and Virtual Reality iB Cricket history.

With a batting average of 66.89 and a strike rate of 192.68 in LMS, Gus shares his secrets to success, the mental and physical preparation behind his game, and his transition into sports management with Grandstand Sports Management.

🔹 Key Topics Covered:

• Gus’s early days in rugby league and how injury led him to cricket

• The rise to becoming a top-ranked LMS player globally

• Insights into batting and bowling strategies tailored for LMS

• The challenges and triumphs of representing Australia in LMS World Cups

• How virtual reality (IB Cricket) has transformed his training

• Launching his player agency and mentoring the next generation

Whether you're a cricket enthusiast, an aspiring player, or just love a great sports story, this episode is packed with actionable insights, hilarious anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of competitive cricket.

🔔 Subscribe to The Cerebral Cricketer for more in-depth conversations with cricketers, coaches, and sports personalities!

📌 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music & more!

Follow us on social media for updates!
📷 Instagram: @TheCerebralCricketer
🐦 Twitter: @CerebralCricket

Like, comment, and share if you enjoyed the conversation! 🚀

Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction & Gus Sloan’s LMS Achievements

00:04:54 Gus’s Batting & Bowling Stats (Avg 66.89, SR 192)

00:08:37 Rugby League Background & Transition to Cricket

00:12:45 Injury & How LMS Became His Focus

00:17:42 Starting a Player Agency (Grandstand Sports)

00:24:32 Batting Mindset: Reacting vs. Overthinking

00:32:12 Facing International Players in LMS

00:39:37 Bowling Tactics & Training (Plyometrics, Speed)

00:47:52 LMS Rule Quirks (Home Runs, Steals, Double Plays)

00:54:22 Representing Australia in LMS World Cups (Kenya, India)

01:04:42 How to Get Selected for LMS Nationals

01:12:02 Favorite Cricketers (Maxwell, Smith) & SCG Experience

01:20:12 Ivy Cricket VR Training & World Records

01:29:22 Memorable LMS Innings & Close Losses

01:37:37 Final Advice for Aspiring LMS Players

01:39:22 Outro

I reflect on my conversation with Dutch international cricketer Shariz Ahmad and break down the mindset gems and strategic insights he shared.

We dive into:

✅ How Shariz developed an optimistic mindset from a young age
✅ The story of scouts discovering him at age 11 and his positive outlook on the pressure
✅ Being fast-tracked into the Netherlands cricket system
✅ How he plans his bowling strategies before the game and while fielding
✅ The bowlers he models his game on, including Rashid Khan and Adam Zampa
✅ What young spinners can learn from his approach to mindset, preparation, and creativity

If you're a young cricketer, coach, or cricket lover who wants to understand the mental side of the game, this is for you.

👉 Listen to the full conversation with Shariz Ahmad here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EkS_y8FJZU

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes! 🧠🏏

In this episode, we sit down with Shariz Ahmad, the Netherlands' rising cricket sensation, as he shares his incredible journey from backyard cricket to the international stage.

Discover how he honed his leg-spin skills, overcame challenges, and made his mark in the T20 World Cup.

Plus, get exclusive insights into his training routines, mental preparation, and the secrets behind his all-rounder success.

🌟 Inside this episode:

✅ The mindset & tactics behind his leg spin 🧠🎯

✅ Learning from legends like Rashid Khan, Adam Zampa & Shadab Khan 🏏🔥

✅ His unforgettable T20 World Cup debut & the pressure of international cricket

✅ Bowling to Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma on the world’s biggest stage 🏆🔥

✅ How he took on Shakib Al Hasan & the world’s best batters ✅ His transition into an all-rounder & power-hitting role 💪💥

From playing backyard cricket with his brother Musa Ahmad to making an impact on the global stage, Shariz shares the secrets behind his rise, his fearless mindset, and what it takes to succeed at the highest level!

🚀 Whether you’re a cricketer, coach, or simply fascinated by the psychology of elite sport, this episode is packed with insights into what it takes to succeed.

💬 What’s your favorite moment from Shariz Ahmad’s journey? Let us know in the comments below!

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL so you never miss an episode.

The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast is a deep dive into the psychological side of cricket. Through exclusive interviews with cricketers, coaches, and experts, we explore the journey, mindset, thought processes, and mental resilience behind success.

From how batsmen sharpen their focus to the mental cues bowlers use for consistent execution, this podcast unpacks the cerebral side of the game - one conversation at a time.

Decode the Mind, Master Your Temperament!

Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, PocketCasts

Follow us on Social Media: Instagram: / thecerebralcricketer Twitter: @CerebralCricket

In this special episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, I reflect on my fascinating conversation with Musa Nadeem Ahmad, a rising star in Netherlands cricket! 🏏

🌟 Key Takeaways From My Chat With Musa Nadeem Ahmad:

✅ His journey through Dutch cricket & rise as an international cricketer
✅ The mental side of batting – staying fearless
✅ What it takes to perform at the highest level in Associate cricket
✅ The challenges & opportunities he encountered
✅ What I learned from our conversation & how it applies to aspiring cricketers 💡

🎙️ Whether you’re an aspiring cricketer, a fan of the game, or curious about Netherlands cricket, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

👉 Listen to the full conversation with Musa Nadeem Ahmad here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTxWGj7RnCw&t=242s

🔔 Like, Comment & Subscribe for more deep dives into the mental game of cricket

We talk to Musa Nadeem Ahmed, the dynamic left-handed batsman from the Netherlands national cricket team.

Musa shares his incredible journey from dreaming of becoming a professional footballer to becoming one of the most exciting talents in Dutch cricket.

From his early days playing backyard cricket with his brother to facing 150kph deliveries from the likes of Naseem Shah and Anrich Nortje, Musa opens up about the challenges of the journey to international cricket.

He also discusses his experiences in the European Cricket League, his time at the Gary Kirsten Cricket Academy, how influential his father was in his life, how he overcame setbacks and seized his opportunities, to achieve his dreams.

Whether you're a cricket enthusiast or just love a good underdog story, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and valuable lessons on resilience, hard work, and the power of self-belief.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Musa transitioned from football to cricket and found his passion for the game.
• The impact of his father’s coaching and how it shaped his fearless mindset.
• His experiences playing senior cricket from a young age and how it accelerated his development.
• The mental challenges of international cricket, including handling nerves on debut.
• What he learned from playing in Australia and dealing with sledging in a tough cricket culture.
• His preparation, routines, and mental techniques to stay focused under pressure.

🚀 Whether you’re a cricketer, coach, or simply fascinated by the psychology of elite sport, this episode is packed with insights into what it takes to succeed.

💬 What’s your favorite moment from Musa’s journey? Let us know in the comments below! 👍

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the NOTIFICATION BELL so you never miss an episode.

The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast is a deep dive into the psychological side of cricket.

Through exclusive interviews with cricketers, coaches, and experts, we explore the journey, mindset, thought processes, and mental resilience behind success.

From how batsmen sharpen their focus to the mental cues bowlers use for consistent execution, this podcast unpacks the cerebral side of the game - one conversation at a time.

Decode the Mind, Master Your Temperament!

Find us on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Player.fm, PocketCasts

Follow us on Social Media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecerebralcricketer

Twitter: @CerebralCricket

Timestamps:

00:00:05 - Introduction

00:03:12 - Moving from football to cricket and father's influence

00:07:08 - Training and Early Career

00:11:20 - Mental Approach

00:16:36 - Cricketing Inspirations

00:19:12 - Gary Kirsten Academy: Experience at the academy

00:23:33 - National Team Journey

00:35:17 - Pre-Match Routine

00:39:00 - Experience with club cricket in Perth, Australia and handling sledging

00:44:08 - COVID-19 Impact

00:49:51 - International Debut

01:02:02 - Scoring 61 against South Africa and facing world-class bowlers.

01:03:01 - Facing Anrich Nortje: Discussing the challenge of facing Nortje's pace and short balls.

01:06:12 - Dealing with Nortje's Pace: Adjusting his batting against Nortje's 150+ km/h deliveries.

01:16:14 - Close Matches: Regret over not finishing a close game against West Indies.

01:24:09 - Setbacks and Resilience

01:27:05 - Experience at the Lahore Qalandars High Performance Center.

01:30:22 - Favorite Innings: Reflecting on his best performances and toughest bowlers faced.

01:30:49 - Facing Naseem Shah

01:35:51 - Cricketers He Admires: Three cricketers he’d like to hang out with.

01:36:52 - Meeting Babar Azam

01:43:07 - Future Goals

01:44:23 - Closing Remarks

🎙 Welcome to The Cerebral Cricketer Podcast! This is Episode Zero - the foundation of what’s to come. In this episode, I break down the vision behind The Cerebral Cricketer podcast and why I've started this podcast.

🧠 What to Expect:

• Why the mental game is just as important as physical skill.
• The psychology behind peak performance in cricket.
• How I’ll be unpacking the thought processes, strategies, and resilience with professional cricketers.
• What sort of interviews to expect with players, coaches, and experts.

🚀 If you're a cricketer, coach, or just fascinated by the psychology of sport, this podcast is for you. Subscribe now and get ready to step inside the minds of cricketers!

🎧 Listen now and follow for more: @thecerebralcricketer