We are joined by Western Australia wicketkeeper-batter Joel Curtis for a deep conversation on the mental and technical side of batting and handling self-doubt.

We explore how backyard battles with his older brother shaped his competitiveness, how he developed his game, and the role Cricket Mentoring played in sharpening both his technique and mental approach.

Joel opens up about playing in England, learning to trust his game, and how volume of cricket helped accelerate his development.

He also reflects honestly on the pressure of second XI cricket, making his Sheffield Shield debut, getting a first-ball duck, and the self-doubt that followed, before later scoring his maiden Shield hundred for WA.

If you enjoy cricket conversations that go beyond the surface and explore the mindset behind performance, this one is for you.

Topics include: Joel Curtis, Western Australia cricket, Sheffield Shield, batting mindset, self-doubt, mental routines, wicketkeeper-batsman, grade cricket, Second XI cricket, first-class cricket, domestic cricket, cricket psychology, facing fast bowling, batting technique, cricket development.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro

00:26 How Joel got into cricket

01:21 Growing up competitive with his older brother

03:41 Was he always a wicketkeeper-batter? 05:49 Learning without a technical coach

07:39 How backyard cricket shaped his batting

10:13 The impact of Cricket Mentoring

12:01 Batting fundamentals for young players

13:21 Why great batters play late

15:59 Does defense still matter in T20 cricket?

17:31 England, freedom and record-breaking runs

22:24 Why England fast-tracked his development

24:22 Grade cricket form and his WA opportunity

28:29 Advice for handling pressure opportunities

29:37 Joel’s Sheffield Shield debut

32:48 First-ball duck, self-doubt and bouncing back

35:00 Reflecting on that dismissal and what he changed

36:54 Are Shield conditions harder for batters now?

39:58 The story behind his maiden Shield hundred

42:34 Preparing to face quality pace attacks

44:46 Batting in flow at Junction Oval

47:33 Learning from Mitch Marsh and WA’s stars

50:37 How to train for genuine pace

52:57 Joel’s batting routine

56:22 Adapting to different batting roles

59:38 MRF Academy, PM’s XI and India experience

01:02:40 What India taught him about playing spin

01:04:18 Chasing 320 against Tasmania

01:07:05 Dressing room message during WA’s tense chase

01:08:15 Sports psych, meditation and visualization

01:10:19 Handling self-doubt and mental chatter

01:13:21 Toughest bowler he has faced

01:13:58 Batters who impressed him most

01:14:54 His most satisfying innings

01:15:27 Best piece of advice he’s received

01:19:12 Balancing work and cricket before his contract

01:20:47 Wrap up