Mental strength key to Ashes success

Panesar, eyes as wide as a frightened deer and encircled by a pack of salivating Australian close fielders, takes guard in the gathering dusk. The crowd watch silently as he prods nervously forward, deflecting the ball away - they are witnesing the last rites of a condemned man, a condemned team.

Lords, a little over a week later. Flintoff steams in, releasing missile after missile, each as fast as the last. Australian bodies are bruised, stumps shattered. One wicket remains. Swann bowls, Johnson swipes. Misses. Bowled! The crowd cheers in delight - England have won, they are one up! But how? The implausibility of the scenario only increases the drama. This was sport in the mind, sport at its best.

The remarkable turn-around between the first and second Ashes tests serves to highlight the vital importance of mental resilience in sport. At Cardiff, Anderson and Panesar refused to bow to defeat, despite its seeming inevitability. The target was distant, but they clung to it resolutely, each ball successfully negotiated representing a step towards survival. A defeat was turned into a draw, but felt like a victory.

Suddenly, England were buoyant, positive and confident. They played the second test full of belief that they could win, rather than nervousness that they might not. The superb Flintoff played through the pain barrier for the team, as did Kevin Pieterson. England displayed a level of commitment, resilience and belief that they lacked for the first four days of the series, and that is why they claimed the win and the lead.

This is also why Xoolon has developed a mental toughness test as part of its performance profiling. Youngsters can rate their mental resilience, determination, self-belief and confidence and set themselves targets to improve. This can help them not only in sport, but also in the classroom and in their future lives.

Now it is the turn of the Australians to show their mental toughness. They need to show that they can bounce back, and rediscover the form and confidence which they displayed in the first test. If they would like to ask Xoolon for any advice, we would be happy to oblige!

What do you think? Is mental strength as important as physical ability? Is profiling it an effective way to encourage improvement? Can the Aussies bounce back? Let us know your thoughts...