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On Monday, Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, invited renowned mental-skills coach Gilbert Enoka to bolster his team’s mindset ahead of the crucial fourth Test against India at Old Trafford. Enoka is best known for his long-standing role with New Zealand’s all-conquering All Blacks rugby team, whom he helped clinch back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles in 2011 and 2015. His influence has extended beyond rugby, having also worked with Premier League giants Chelsea and the New Zealand cricket team. Enoka’s latest assignment sees him working with the England cricket team at the start of this summer, with the aim of fortifying their mental resilience ahead of high-pressure encounters. He will be with the England squad for three days before flying back to New Zealand.
Famous for his “no d—heads” policy, Enoka promotes a culture of accountability, humility, and unity – principles he believes are key to elite performance. He joined the England camp prior to the one-off test against Zimbabwe in May and has since been working closely with McCullum’s side, helping shape their mental preparation. On Monday, he was seen addressing the players in the team huddle at Old Trafford before the start of training session, and he is set to remain with the team through to the end of the week.
With England facing consecutive high-stakes series – first India, followed by the Ashes in Australia – McCullum is determined to instil a winning mindset and bring mental sharpness to his side.
Enoka brings decades of experience to the table. He has spent over 20 years as a mental-skills coach, most notably with the All Blacks. Under his guidance, the All Blacks not only won two World Cups but also earned 18 Bledisloe Cups, three Grand Slams, eight Tri Nations titles, six Rugby Championships, and a Laureus World Team of the Year award.
His influence, however, extends well beyond the rugby pitch. Enoka has also worked with top business leaders and elite sports teams across various disciplines, focusing on enhancing performance through psychological readiness. He believes that players who are mentally strong and emotionally aware are more likely to perform under pressure and achieve consistent success.
As England seek to seal the Test series against India, Enoka’s presence is expected to play a pivotal role in preparing the players for the mental battles ahead. By embedding a winning culture and mindset, he could prove to be a decisive influence in England’s quest for cricketing excellence. With the hosts taking a crucial 2-1 lead in the five-match series following the 22 runs win at the Lord’s, McCullum has turned to his compatriot to give the team a mental edge.
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