Mike Brearley on the Correlation between Bazball, Test Cricket, and Psychoanalysis: Can the Two Selves Aid Each Other?

The dynamic leadership duo of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes has captivated former Ashes-winning captain Mike Brearley as another series between England and Australia is set to start. At 81 years old, Brearley leans forward in anticipation of the sporting event of the summer, acknowledging that "anything can happen." Brearley, who spent a sixpence on a book of England-Australia Test scores dating back to the 1870s 70 years ago, seems more intrigued by this new series than any other.

As he ponders whether England’s bold aggression under McCullum and Stokes will succeed against a relentless Australia, Brearley smiles helplessly and admits, "I don’t know whether it will work." He's fascinated to see what happens with "Benbuzz", referring to the buzzword for the intense Test cricket which England has developed over the past year.

Brearley provides a fascinating insight into both men and how, in his view, overcoming depression underpins the freedom and positivity of their philosophy. Brearley engineered one of the greatest Ashes comebacks in 1981, where Australia dominated much of the first three Tests before being swept aside. Even that incredible series may be surpassed this summer with the upcoming Ashes series.

With all eyes on the Ashes, we sit in Brearley's consulting room in the basement of his north London home, where he's worked as a psychoanalyst for 40 years. His intelligence and empathy resonate during our two hours together, whether discussing philosophy, psychoanalysis, literature, or cricket.

Like in his book, where he moves smoothly from Ludwig Wittgenstein, Henry James and Wilfred Bion to Geoff Boycott, Jimmy Anderson and Zak Crawley, Brearley reflects on McCullum and Stokes, highlighting their essential empathy and introspection. “I’m interested in this question: can the two selves help each other?" mused Brearley. They both have an infectious enthusiasm for their ideas.

While their art of leadership may seem straightforward, Brearley considers their complex hinterland, pointing out how McCullum overcame his own depression through a unique approach. “Once you embraced that you relaxed, enjoyed it and looked at opportunities rather than risks," said Brearley, referring to McCullum's approach to overcoming New Zealand cricket's crisis in 2013. Brearley also recognized that Stokes had similar struggles, and eventually overcame his depression by lifting his game to another level.

Throughout our conversation, Brearley's insights are compelling, ranging from philosophy to cricket. He sees something special in McCullum and Stokes, and their leadership approach for England could make all the difference in the upcoming Ashes series.

England's recent cricket success can be attributed to the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, according to former England captain Mike Brearley. He praised Stokes for his shrewd tactical captaincy and for his openness about his mental health struggles, which Brearley believes has helped to free the team from the fear of defeat. Brearley also applauded the pair's support of young players such as Ollie Pope, who was encouraged to play his natural game and scored crucial runs for England. However, he expressed concern about the future of Test cricket, which he fears may be threatened by the popularity of the Indian Premier League and the decline of cricket in state schools.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Ashes series, Brearley warned that a loss of form for England's top-order batsmen could quickly erode the team's confidence, and speculated about possible changes to the team if Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett fail to perform. Brearley also expressed disappointment in the decision to drop wicketkeeper Ben Foakes in favor of Jonny Bairstow.

Despite his own struggles as a Test batsman, Brearley remains a passionate advocate for the five-day format, citing its unique demands and the depth of skill required to succeed at the highest level. He recalls facing skepticism from his England teammates when he returned to cricket after a hiatus spent studying philosophy, but eventually won them over with his leadership and tactical acumen.

A similar uncertainty stalked Brearley in the very different world of psychoanalysis. “I felt self-conscious,” he says, “as I didn’t want to be known as ‘the cricketer’. But now I’m completely relaxed and more interested in the overlaps and continuities between these worlds.”

The two Mikes have become one complete and deeply admirable man who has survived cancer with his curiosity about life intact. “In cricketing terms there’s a legend about me,” he says wryly. “But it was rebutted healthily by Ray Illingworth who, when asked if I was the best England captain, suggested I was just the luckiest. There was a lot of truth in that. But the older you get the easier it is to be relaxed. My two worlds are not so different. In cricket I wanted to find out what was going on, and learn what made people tick, and that’s exactly what happens here in this room with my patients, and with me as a person. What’s going on? What is it inside that makes us do silly things or good things?”

We amble out into his sun-filled garden and it does not take long for our talk to return to McCullum and Stokes, a transformed England and the delicious uncertainty of how they will perform against Australia. As the days lengthen and another English summer begins, Brearley knows there will not be many more Ashes for him to savour and so this series feels meaningful.

The great old captain explains that, rather than settling back to watch with an occasional glass of wine in his hand, he will be immersed in the intricacies of Test cricket. He will place himself firmly inside Stokes’ head as he considers bowling changes, field placements and batting with just a modicum of restrained abandon.

“As an observer I’m almost a participant,” Brearley says with another smile. “I can’t help it.”

He laughs when I say I might suggest his new phrase of Benbuzz replaces Bazball as shorthand for England’s dangerously thrilling strategy. “You certainly can,” Brearley says in amusement. “It’s going to be fascinating, whatever happens.”

Turning Over the Pebbles by Mike Brearley is published by Constable