Barney Ronay is chief sports writer of the Guardian newspaper, author of three books about sport and the current SJA columnist of the year.
Rob Ferley is a former professional cricketer and a leading figure in modern cricket development, known for creating inclusive, evidence-led environments where players can flourish.
Dr James Wallis is a principal lecturer in Sport, Coaching and Exercise Science at the University of Brighton. He has edited several texts in the field and has experience of supporting the health and performance of athletes across multiple sports.
Miyagi Meets Mourinho: How the ECB Fixes State-school Cricket
After a thrilling Test series between South Africa and Australia, the guys sit down to discuss whether there are any tricks the ECB could take from the No. 1 Test side in the world.
The Square One coaching glossary gets some new additions as Dr Jim dissects affordances and constraints-based coaching, before diving in to what the ECB can do to bridge cricketing's eternal class-divide.
Feedback in the form of comments and ratings really helps and if there's any coaching-related questions please do ask and we'll cover it in the next episode.
Edited by Ed Mace
29 Sept 2026
The Ferley Somersault
Having attended the Playmakers Gala recently, the guys sit down to discuss what it means to facilitate play within sports, from junior pathways to the professional game. They ask why it's so fundamental to development and even to human existence and apply it to everything from Bazball to Zinedine Zidane to Lindsey Jacobellis. No stone is left unturned in this one.
Please leave feedback in the form of comments and ratings it really helps push this show out.
Link to donate to the Playmakers cause: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=UU4P858CZK4SC&source=qr (https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=UU4P858CZK4SC&source=qr)
Edited by Ed Mace
11 Sept 2026
TikTok Mentors: The ECB's Latest Experiment
Rob, Jim and Barney dive back into all things coaching theory, looking at the recent appointment of Kevin Pietersen as a batting mentor for the white-ball side.
They also discuss how a coach can intervene effectively, looking at the dichotomy between those who sit back and let things develop and those who try and dictate methods.
It's quintessential Square One as there are somehow references to Telemachus and postlapsarian states as well.
Comments and ratings are really important for pushing this out so please leave us those if you've enjoyed.
Edited by Ed Mace
19 Aug 2026
Faux Cricket, Foam Hands
After a hefty break, the guys are back to discuss the fallout of all things English cricket. There's a discussion about the calamitous ending at Trent Bridge, The Hundred (no prizes for guessing how the hosts feel) and Rob's insight into what Stephen Fleming will be like for the Test squad. We also speak on talent ID and the potential for Moneyball in cricket.
We're aiming for more frequent episodes from now on, thanks for sticking with us through the break.
Please leave comments and ratings it really helps push the show out!
Edited by Ed Mace
9 Jun 2026
Nothing Good Happens After Midnight
It's only a couple of beers right?
The guys sit down to lend their opinions on the news surrounding Ben Stokes and the latest off-field issue following the England Men's side after their victory over New Zealand.
They also discuss a coaching ideology fundamental to Square One and selection bias in the county game, before Barney bowls Rob a sharp leg-break to close out the episode.
If you're enjoying the show please leave ratings and drop us a follow, it really helps!
Edited by Ed Mace
26 May 2026
Baz's gaming chair
The guys are back to discuss the ethos behind England's Test squad selection, hypothesising over just how many County Championship livestreams Baz McCullum is simultaneously watching. It's the great battle of the ever-optimistic Rob and his pessimistic foil Barney.
Jim also takes us down one of his academic rabbit-holes, looking at all things from arbitrary bowling workloads to swimming theory from the early 2000s.
Please leave comments with anything you want to discuss and we'll cover it in the next episode.
Edited by Ed Mace.
13 May 2026
The Salamander Effect
The guys sit down to continue the analysis into coaching philosophy, looking at where we should be falling on the positivism-relativism spectrum.
There's plenty more as they discuss the very different situations of some of England's cricketers, one on the verge of recall and one maybe on the way out.
Edited by Ed Mace
29 Apr 2026
The Parent Trap: Baby Olympics
The guys are back to discuss the brewing story of where Jacob Bethell should be playing his cricket, under the guidance of Andy Flower and co. in the IPL or in the beautiful Derbyshire fields (other counties are available)
They also dive back into the academia around coaching to discuss where parents are getting it wrong with sporting children and how schools and clubs are culpable.
Feedback is really appreciated so drop a comment to let us know what you think.
Edited by Ed Mace
13 Mar 2026
The Talent Trap: What is Wrong with English Coaching
Pygmalion effect? Galatea effect? The guys delve deep into the academic dictionary in an attempt to diagnose the failings of youth sport. From Jim's decades of academic experience to Barney's harrowing tales of the Surrey pathways this episode has it all. There's some big news from Square One as well!
Please leave ratings and comments to help push this episode out there.
Edited by Ed Mace
8 Feb 2026
Crouching Spin Coach, Hidden Talents
The guys take on the challenging task of working out why spin bowling in England is such a mess, talking about flawed player development models, lacklustre coaching, and a fundamental misunderstanding of what young spinners need
Any feedback for the episode please leave comments and we can address them in the next episode
Produced by Ed Mace
16 Jan 2026
Weak Men
Edited by Ishan Athawle, Arnav Kholkar and Ed Mace.
The guys are back from their trip down under as they discuss the fallout from the Ashes and what it could mean for leadership in the ECB.
Rob talks us through all the new happenings at Square One posing the question of what it really means to be inclusive in a sport like cricket.
3 Dec 2025
What if we went back to square one?
Welcome to the pilot episode of the Square One podcast. The guys sit down to chat about Square One and it's ethos, before moving on to the Perth disaster and all things Bazball
Produced by Arnav Kholkar, Ishan Athawle and Ed Mace
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
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