Sports Psychology

                                     Verbal Tussle between Ambrose and Waugh 

Curtley Ambrose and Steve Waugh were my favorite cricketers. Steve Waugh was known for his grit and never say attitude. Ambrose was fast bowler whom most batsmen dreaded facing. Steve Waugh was not a very talented cricketer but he ended up being one of most successful cricketer of his era.He was picked in the Australian team as an all rounder who could do a bit batting and bowling.After a bad start to his career he was replaced by Mark Waugh in the Australian test team.It took Steve Waugh a comeback and more than 25 test matches to score his first test match hundered. But after that there was no looking back for him. 

Steve Waugh was the only batsmen who had the daring to look Ambrose in the eye and then sledge him.The gentle giant Ambrose lost his cool and Australia went on to beat West Indies in a test series on their own soil.1994 Aus WI test series ended dominance of West Indies and started emergence of Australia.Steve Waugh was at forefront of it.Some years back I read the autobiography of Steve Waugh. It is a wonderful book on sports psychology and mental toughness.In this book he mentions about his battle with Allen Donald.During a test match at Sydney Allen Donald was bowling very well. He managed to hit Steve Waugh five times on his body. But Steve Waugh's psychology was he can hit me anywhere on the body but I won't get out on his bowling. https://youtu.be/CGBS-HwG55s

After getting hit five time on the body Steve Waugh looked Donald in the eye. Steve Waugh mentions he saw fear in the eyes of Donald. His eyes gave an impression that he could not get Steve Waugh out. Allen Donald had lost mental battle with Steve Waugh. Being South Africa's best cricketer his loss of confidence meant entire South African team conceded defeated. As per Steve Waugh mental toughness was the reason why Australia managed to beat SA many times even though on paper SA had a better team than Australia. Steve Waugh says first the battle has to be won in the mind then only the actual battle can be won on the field. This is champion's mindset and very important for success in any aspect of life.