Benny Howell: Redefining Cricket With ADHD Creativity
Introduction
What does it mean to think differently in sport—and to be celebrated for it?
Benny Howell is a first-class English cricketer who’s not only forged a unique career across formats and continents, but who attributes much of his performance edge to his ADHD. Known for reinventing bowling by drawing on baseball techniques and unorthodox deliveries, Benny’s story is one of creative innovation, emotional honesty, and breaking away from tradition.
In this interview, he shares how ADHD traits like hyperfocus and non-linear thinking helped him carve out a path in a sport steeped in hierarchy and habit—and why psychological safety and modern coaching have made all the difference in unlocking his potential.
“As Long as I Could Stand Up, I Had a Bat in My Hand”
Benny’s journey into sport was almost predestined. Raised in a family of high-level athletes—his brother a professional golfer, his mum a skier, and his dad a real tennis pro—sport wasn’t just encouraged, it was the language of everyday life.
But from early on, it became clear that Benny’s brain worked differently.
“I guess with ADHD, you're hyperfocused… when I’m really into something, I can just do it for hours.”
It was that obsessive concentration—not often associated with ADHD but common in many—combined with a love of movement and being outdoors, that made cricket the perfect fit.
“On the sports field, no one would know I had any issues. They just thought I was a good player. But in the classroom… I wasn’t suited to that environment at all.”
Bowling From a Different Playbook
What’s made Benny stand out over the years isn’t just his performance—but the way he plays the game. His approach to bowling defies convention.
“I’ve developed a style of bowling that not many people have. I’m somewhere between a spinner and a fast bowler.”
Benny’s technique includes change-ups and variations inspired by baseball pitchers. It didn’t come from a textbook or coaching manual—it came from relentless experimentation, driven by the ADHD-fuelled need to move, tinker, and push limits.
“I didn’t stick to the traditional ways you were taught. My brain was already where cricket is now. Back then, I was doing all the things you ‘shouldn’t do.’”
It wasn’t always welcomed.
Pushing Back Against Pushback
“In the beginning, I had constant pushback,” Benny recalls. “Old-school coaches, people in the background joking, ‘What’s Benny doing with all this weird stuff?’”
That kind of ridicule is a recurring theme for many neurodivergent athletes. Creativity is often met with suspicion—until it succeeds.
Benny’s turning point came when he stopped trying to please others and leaned into what made him different.
“I just thought, bugger it. I’m going to do it anyway.”
That decision paid off. His performance improved, and perceptions shifted. “Now everyone’s catching on.”
Hyperfocus as a Performance Tool
One of the most consistent themes throughout the conversation is hyperfocus.
“Training sessions, I could work on something for hours. My obsession helped me refine techniques that others wouldn’t stick with.”
For many with ADHD, hyperfocus can be both a gift and a curse—depending on whether the environment allows it to flourish. Benny found his zone in repetition, experimentation, and self-direction. And rather than fight it, he learned to work with it.
“I always thought golf would’ve been a good sport for me. I could’ve been on the range all day. But actually, I’m glad I didn’t—cricket turned out to be my game.”
The Evolution of Cricket—and Coaching
Cricket has changed dramatically in the last two decades. And Benny sees that as a huge enabler for neurodivergent athletes.
“Cricket was very traditional when I started. Now with T20, it’s opened up. It’s not just one kind of player anymore.”
That shift in mindset isn’t limited to the rules of the game—it’s in how athletes are coached too.
“I’m so lucky with the coaching setups we have now. It’s open. There’s no sense of ‘this is how it must be done.’ We just talk. It’s like you’re friends with your coach.”
Benny’s gratitude is clear. He knows how rare it is to have support systems that don’t just tolerate difference, but actively embrace it.
Navigating Judgement and Building Confidence
Like many neurodivergent people, Benny has had moments of doubt.
“There are times where I wonder—am I doing the right thing? That’s just human nature. But when I’m successful, it gives me confidence.”
Judgement from others has been a factor throughout his career. But so has his desire to speak up and reduce stigma.
“If I can talk openly, maybe someone else who’s worried about judgement will feel a bit braver. I’ve never been that anxious about sharing it. It just explains how I am.”
Creating Clarity by Filtering the Noise
One unexpected insight Benny shares is how crucial it’s been to curate his inputs.
“I’m really disciplined about what content I allow into my day.”
This includes social media, news, and notifications—things that many of us consume passively, but that can significantly impact mental health for someone with ADHD.
“If you’re replying to texts instantly, watching random stuff, you’re being controlled by all of that. It increases anxiety.”
Benny’s strategy is simple but powerful: spend at least an hour each day controlling what you absorb—especially first thing in the morning or just before bed.
“Our brain doesn’t forget what it sees and hears. You’ve got to protect your energy.”
ADHD as a Spectrum, and the Power of Speaking Up
“People think ADHD is binary. You’ve either got it or you don’t. I don’t believe that.”
Benny sees neurodiversity as something that touches many more people than we realise.
“Most people are on the spectrum in some way. Some are more extreme than others—but we all have something.”
And for those feeling alone or unsupported, Benny offers advice:
“There’s always someone. Even if it’s just one person on your team. Speak to them. And if you really can’t, try podcasts, audiobooks—there’s always a way to feel less alone.”
Final Thoughts
Benny Howell’s career is a testament to what can happen when you let your brain play its own game. He’s not just a cricketer with ADHD—he’s a creative force reshaping the sport from within.
“I chose to do what works for me. And eventually, it worked for everyone else too.”
We hope Benny’s story inspires athletes, coaches, and sporting organisations alike to reflect on the power of difference—and the value of embracing it, on and off the field.
Follow Benny on Instagram @bennycam13 and Twitter @bennytweets_
Key Takeaways for Neurodivergent Individuals
Find your way to focus
→ Hyperfocus isn’t a flaw—it’s a skill, when channelled into something you love.
You don’t need everyone’s approval
→ If you believe in your approach, and it works—back yourself.
Protect your inputs
→ Be intentional about what you consume. It affects your state of mind more than you think.
Key Takeaways for Peers, Supporters, and Parents
Be curious, not critical
→ What looks ‘weird’ may actually be innovation in disguise.
Support the whole person
→ Athletes aren’t just skill sets—they’re minds and moods too.
Don’t expect disclosure overnight
→ Judgement shuts people down. Open-mindedness brings them forward.
Key Takeaways for Coaches, Leaders, and Organisations
Embrace difference—don’t just tolerate it
→ Coaching isn’t about enforcing conformity—it’s about unlocking performance.
Create safety through dialogue
→ Being open and relational doesn’t compromise standards—it builds them.
Performance thrives on trust
→ The best results often come when athletes are allowed to be themselves.
Originally a video interview, this blog post was written by Caragh McMurtry. Subheadings were added by the Neurodiverse Sport team to support readability.
