title: Distinguishing psychological characteristics of expert cricket batsmen.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper sought to determine the psychological characteristics and skills that are fundamental to batting success in the sport of cricket.
  
  
  METHODS
  Following on from the findings of an earlier qualitative investigation which suggested that a favourable mix of psychological attributes and skills are critical to high performance in batting (Weissensteiner et al.(10)), adult-aged batsmen of two different skill levels (highly skilled n=11; lesser skilled n=10) completed a battery of psychological tests that included measures of mental toughness (Mental Toughness Inventory), perfectionism (Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale), coping ability (Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28), and optimism (Attributional Styles Questionnaire).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Contrary to the research hypothesis, it was found that the highly skilled batsmen were only distinguishable from batsmen of lesser skill by their higher degree of global mental toughness. The skilled batsmen scored significantly higher on mental toughness dimensions relating to motivation (Personal Bests, Task Value and Commitment), coping skill (Perseverance) and self-belief (Potential).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If mental toughness can be reliably predicted at an earlier age, it may be an attribute worthy of inclusion in future talent identification and development programs.
authors.affiliation: Talent Identification and Development, Australian Institute of Sport, Australia. juanita.weissensteiner@ausport.gov.au
authors.forename: Juanita R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Weissensteiner
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abernethy
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Farrow
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gross
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010551:Personality; D011793:Queensland; D013177:Sports / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult