Friday, November 17

I haven't been interested in the Australian cricket team for years, but the selection of Tim Paine for the Ashes squad this morning has caused a little frisson of excitement in Tasmania.  ABC Local Radio fielded calls, most of which were negative; after all, he couldn't even get picked as the Tasmanian wicket-keeper in the Sheffield Shield.  However, there is an explanation, as outlined by one of the guests on morning radio.

Josh Bean is, I think, a Sports Psychologist.  He's been working with Tim Paine for years, ever since Tim lost his place in the Australian team with sore fingers (!).  I snigger, but it's a serious issue for a wicket-keeper.

The fingers healed but the road back into the team was much more problematic.  Josh suggested visualisation as a technique.  I've heard that divers and high-jumpers visualise themselves performing their art perfectly, and this is claimed to have a positive effect, but how do you visualise yourself getting back into the Australian cricket team?

I might have missed some of the detail but, essentially,  Tim was given cards with pictures of his wife, his daughter, a cricket bat, a baggy green cap, a freshly-mowed lawn and a newly-washed car.  He started playing his cricket on the NW Coast of Tasmania where the standard isn't so high, and had regular counselling.

I may be misunderstanding, or simplifying, but I gather Tim was expected to put the cards in order of importance.  When the baggy green cap came in just after his wife, Tim was ready.

It's all too spooky for me.  One of the other guests on the radio show asked, "Josh, when did you change from being a Glenorchy-based bogan to a spiritual zen-finder?