The Sports Psychology Blog
This Sports Psychology blog, comes as England mount a spirited fight-back, in the Third Test against South Africa.
Cricket: England - Fightback!
It was the day when South Africa had the chance to put the four test series, out of England's reach. Accumulate a big total. Put England under pressure. Two up, with one to play.
But, inspired by a hostile spell from Andrew Flintoff, South Africa were dismissed, with only a two-figure lead to show for their superiority.
Then England took the attack to the visitors. First Michael Vaughan, tried to play his way back into form. Four boundaries, revealing glimpses of his natural authority. Then, Kevin Pietersen put the South African attack to the sword. Yet, by the time, the out of form Paul Collingwood came to the crease, the pressure was back on England.
Collingwood's subsequent century, defined England's defiance. It was the mark of a man digging deep, to find reserves of will and courage. Cocking a snook at the critics, advising him to return to Durham to find some form.
All in all, it was the day England rediscovered their collective pride. But, it began late last night, with Andrew Flintoff's hypnotic spell of hostile bowling. Absent injured, from the test scene, for a long time, Flintoff evoked the unforgettable spirit of 2005, with his bombardment of the South African batsmen, with controlled power and pace.
It brought the Edgbaston crowd to their feet and reconnected this England team, with greater deeds. Their spiritual leader had returned. And with it, individual and collective belief was rediscovered.
If England subsequently beat South Africa at Edgbaston, they will look back at the spell of bowling Andrew Flintoff delivered on Thursday evening, as a turning point. For, it was the moment, when English cricket, at least temporarily, came roaring back back to life!
