All,
Had a few moments to spare and I decided to type some stuff up, its just a candid attempt at addressing the mental side.
Mike Brearley in his book of the art of captaincy said that cricket is as much an individual game as it is a team game. We are all here to help each other get better doing what we enjoy.
I've learnt a lot from some of the folks we'll be playing against in the next few weeks. One such lesson that I've learnt is that cricket is a great leveller in that it really shows you the ups and downs in life. Bradman believed that it is a metaphor to life in a lotta ways. In those testing times, your greatest strength will be the person sitting beside you. The guy who picks you up from the turf and dusts your back after a minor setback has occurred on the field. Out there value that, have fun and the rest will take care of itself.
I want you folks to make no mistake about it, based on our past performances and from what I know is coming our way, that this will be a challenge. But our goal is crystal clear, to go out and win this tournament on home turf. And in the weeks prior to that, I'd like each one of you to reflect on exactly why, you chose to play this game at what ever level. Sometimes, it can be the difference when an individual takes the time to reflect and re-affirm some of your ties to the game - its the winning difference, its where the "hunger" comes from to win. Some of the best players I've played with, and I'm sure you all can relate, are not only immensely talented, but also possess an immense hunger to be consistent winners. So I challenge each one of you to do that in the next week - ask yourselves - do you want to win this?
The reason I bring this up is that cricket at the higher levels of the game is mostly mental, so why do we spend 100% of the time on the physical practice of it? Its just that most units/organizations do not consider tapping into that other side. I've been very fortunate, to have had the opportunity to have been part of sides with some phenomenal coaches who address these aspects and I'd like to share what I've learnt with all of you, which is the point of this blog. Cricketers have a tendency to be oddly more complex than they appear to be, or admit to be... It always amazed me in the after match presentations when the MOM spoke as though he was just going through the motions. Do you really think Sachin just "... decided to play freely because the ball was coming onto the bat" (and therefore got the only hundred, ensuring victory in a Test match that required nerves of steel to face Test quality bowlers on a bowler friendly track)? In fact, I've already learnt a lot from all of you in our short stint together, I'd have to say I'm hopeful of better things to come. Either way this has been a productive experience. In summation, this is it gentlemen, we have less than 2 weeks to the tourney. Look around, within the four walls of the dressing room are the folks you're likely to share a "first ever" moment should things go to plan, can you feel it?
For those of you who are yet to have the opportunity to translate at the next level: Your approach should be a familiar one to what you have already been doing, be consistent and realistic in your expectations going into each game. The difference is this is more a "hard work" type of cricket, and its fueled by your confidence - you are not going to go in and dominate all the time, accept that early and work with the things you do have control over. Teams also are not going to generally have their backs broken easily either. So you work consistently in mini-sessions continually re-assessing. You'll make progress - and then you'll have to learn to be patient. At the end of the day keep applying yourself mentally - there's a chess element at each stage, sometimes you are pro-active, sometimes you are patient. If you doubt what I'm saying about the "hard work" element at this level, look around - behind the scenes there are people putting in a lot of hard work just to make this tourney happen, so lets not just go out there unaware and throw the bat around, before we are set, thats just an invitation for the curtains to close early. When a bowler is getting tap, think about what the batter is expecting - upset his rhythm - for instance, bowling tight early in the over is a great way to bring out any loose shots in the latter part of the over.
Find a comfortable "on-the-day" approach, enjoy it and let the rest take care of itself. Also, playing here in the Cougars is a different feel to playing in your respective CCL clubs. In CCL league teams there are a lotta sides with budding/newbie cricketers, and 5-6 core players leading the way. Here you have to learn to trust and in turn be trustable and accountable. We have potentially in their own light a full squad of match-winners here, and as much as I love that, it makes it a tricky job but let me worry about that, a little trust goes a long way. In being part of this team, there is a responsibility on you as well to make yourself feel comfortable with your mates and if theres anything I can do to help, let me know.
You have all been match winners in the past, think back to what that felt like, were you relaxed, were you anxious...? Find your own, relive it.
When you practice, practice hard, embrace the concept of doing things the right way. If you lounge up to the ball when you are fielding in practice, DO NOT expect it to stick in your hands for a pick up and throw at a crucial moment in the game.
I am not going to tell you what you need to be doing to prepare for the tourney in your own time... I'll say this though... Trust your ability and more importantly... your team.
Rohith
"When you first step into the darkness, one of two things can happen... you either find hard ground, or you learn to fly..."
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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