In this episode of The Cerebral Cricketer, we sit down with Curtis Campher, Ireland’s all-format all-rounder.

From his early days playing backyard cricket in Johannesburg to delivering clutch performances for Ireland on the world stage, Curtis shares an unfiltered look into what fuels his game, both mentally and technically. We cover everything from his South African upbringing and multi-sport background (hockey and golf), to the psychological lessons passed down by his parents. Curtis reflects on why he never chased personal glory, what it means to be a true team-first player, and how his identity was shaped through adversity. Some of the standout moments include: The mental side of switching between formats – Tests, ODIs, T20s How his hockey background shaped his sweep shot mastery Facing world-class spinners like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi His unforgettable 4 wickets in 4 balls at the 2021 T20 World Cup Detailed insights into bowling strategy, planning for batters, and how to balance data with instinct Why range-hitting drills come down to just 3 technical cues His debut against England and how he mentally prepared for a 5-for-28 crisis situation The psychological cost of performance-based validation and how he grounds himself outside of cricket Curtis also shares rare insights into the role of team culture, the importance of preparation routines, and what separates good cricketers from great ones when it comes to decision-making under pressure. If you’re a fan of cricket psychology, clutch performances, and learning how elite players think, prepare and adapt, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep-dive conversations into the minds of cricketers.