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Mind games Psychologist helps Lara rediscover best form
Updated: Tuesday December 19, 2000 8:24 AM
As predicted, the West Indies lost the Test series in Australia, but with the help of a sports psychologist they at least produced a more competitive performance in Adelaide. The Windies gave an under-strength Australian side a tough first three days in the third test before losing to the world champion by five wickets. Shortly before the match, the tourist met with Joe Hoad, an Adelaide-based sports psychologist, originally from Barbados. Hoad aimed to lift the morale of a team, which heavily lost the first two tests of the series and was being ridiculed by the local media. "Sports psychology is about trying to help people believe in themselves and optimize that performance," Hoad told Australia's Sun-Herald newsapaper. "We spoke about winning every ball, making every play a separate competition that you have to win." The result of Hoad's therapy was most noticeable in batsman Brian Lara, who returned to form with a stunning first innings century that allowed the West Indies to post their highest score of the series. Almost two years earlier, another sports psychologist, Dr Rudi Webster, helped the world record-holder during the test series against Australia in the Caribbean. While under probation as captain from the West Indies Cricket Board because of his poor form, Lara emerged from a session with Dr Webster and smashed 213, which set up a famous victory in the second test at Sabina Park, Jamaica. The Windies went on to draw the series 2-2 against the Australians. The (Sir) Frank Worrell Trophy will remain in Australia, but with two tests and the one-day competition remaining, Lara now has the momentum, and apparently, the inner confidence to lead the way in rebuilding the shattered image of West Indies cricket. Much has been said about the mediocre quality of the current Windies' squad, but, without doubt, poor management and leadership have also contributed to its losing record. Captain Jimmy Adams justifiably came under criticism for his defensive tactics in Adelaide and his failure to keep the pressure on an Australian side without its injured skipper Steve Waugh . After a difficult initiation, wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist did a solid job at the helm in Waugh's absence. Both men have the ability to inspire those around them and one wonders how much better some of the supposedly "inferior" West Indies players would do in the upbeat Australian dressing room. During my recent trip back home, I noticed how cricket is riding a wave of popularity in Australia because of the success of the national XI. And the Australian side -- now with a world-record 13 Test victories in a row -- is not unlike successful teams in other sports. Like Manchester United or the Los Angeles Lakers, the Aussies are first and foremost a team, with a wonderful "system" that cranks along in prolific style, even with changes in personnel. That's not to say that the absence of a Glenn McGrath or David Beckham or Shaquille O'Neal won't have any impact. These current West Indies players will never make up a champion team. But because they're now "getting their heads straight", the likes of Brian Lara and co. should have no inferiority complex for the rest of the southern summer. Australian-born Jason Dasey is an anchor for 'World Sport', a sports highlights and news program shown daily on CNN International and CNNSI.
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