Peter Kettle | 2:15pm GMT 26 November 2025
Within the current Keep on with Cricket podcast, Michael Vaughan, Phil Tufnell and Mike Hussey debated how this present Ashes sequence would possibly unfold, and particularly the primary Take a look at in Perth – considered as a signpost.
Effectively, this preliminary Take a look at – as probably all of you understand now – was exterior the field and landed firmly Australia’s manner.
Right here, Peter Kettle seems forward to the second Take a look at in Brisbane – and to its imagined conclusion and the top of match ceremonies.
Isa Guha, the previous England Take a look at participant, and at present tv commentator, is interviewing Chris Marshall – the sports activities psychologist to the England males’s Take a look at squad, having been appointed in June 2024.
IG: After hanging on right here in Brisbane for a draw – helped by thunderstorms that delayed play for whereas on days 4 and 5 – it’s been a courageous comeback by England after the shell-shock of Perth. Chris, what has been your individual function in all this?
CM: Effectively, earlier than we set out for this journey down-under, Isa, the boys benefitted vastly from classes of psychoanalysis that I persuaded Mike Brearley to carry out on the sofa in his London NW3 abode. They received to have have a look at themselves…inwardly. Nothing was spared. Fairly gruelling, truly, for plenty of them. That was all through most of September and all of October.
IG: Good to listen to England have spared nothing in making ready for this Ashes sequence, Chris.
CM: My phrase, sure! Golf is sweet preparation, most definitely, and so are late nights in town to assist unwind. However, for my cash, you possibly can’t beat the psychoanalyst’s sofa.
IG: And in Australia, Chris, are you able to inform our viewers what you’ve been doing to get the England boys in the best state of mind?
CM: Certain, Isa…a very powerful factor I do for them is to learn a narrative as they calm down to fall asleep. That’s normally after a 5 – 6 course dinner and loads of scrumptious native white and crimson wine, adopted by some disco dancing at a high evening membership. The story telling occurs at round 3 or 4 o’clock within the morning.
IG: I see…what kind of tales, Chris?
CM: Principally excerpts from Alice in Wonderland…marvellous escapism. Nothing too actual. The boys have had sufficient of that in the course of the day.
IG: In order that they’ve been seeping fairly properly, I think about, Chris along with your bedside attentions.
CM: Fairly properly right here in Brisbane, Isa. Although again in Perth, plenty of the boys had nasty nightmares – feeling themselves dealing with Warnie on the MCG and never having a clue about what’s popping out of his hand. Or pinned to the crease whereas Malcolm Marshall is sending down nose-crushing, wanting a size, stuff within the West Indies. However they’re just about over that now.
IG: Good to listen to!
CM: I’ve additionally been getting the boys to observe some movies…that is at breakfast time…movies of internet classes the place they’re batting rather well. At these follow classes, their very own moms are watching, sitting on benches to at least one facet, and as their son comes out after doing his stuff they warmly embrace him – reassuring him about simply how good he’s on the worldwide stage.
IG: Wow…that’s an innovation in utilized sports activities psychology, I think about, Chris.
CM: Very a lot so! I’ve truly gone as far as to get Boycs to play a component. He sits in a deckchair because the boys enter the nets to do their batting, consuming an ice cream and smiles broadly at every one in every of them, doing so in an avuncular method.
IG: Instilling much more confidence.
CM: Precisely!
IG: Good, Chris…could I want you all the most effective for Adelaide and for the actually massive one – the standard Boxing Day Take a look at in Melbourne.
CM: We’ll be kicking arse on the MCG, don’t you are worried about that, Isa.
IG: And now over to you, Adam Gilchrist, for the post-match displays…..
