There are sportsmen who have refined and mastered their minds and techniques to a point where their chances of consistent performance are maximised. At present, the batsman who best epitomises mental toughness is Steve Waugh.

Since 1993 he has made a mountain of runs in Test cricket, leaving him with an average in that sphere of the game that is comparable to the greatest players to have graced a cricket field. So often, Australia's latest captain has rescued his team with feats of exceptional skill, determination and concentration - the latest being his match-winning hundred against South Africa in the World Cup on Sunday.

He once told me that mental toughness is having the ability to do the same thing over and over, no matter what the circumstances. His view was that successful batting involves single-minded, focused concentration, one ball at a time, whether you are playing club cricket, Test cricket or a one-day international.

Making consistent runs under pressure comes down to this simple yet complex process of extreme concentration and skill. It is almost a meditative state with no outside thoughts being allowed to disturb total concentration on the only thing that matters: the very next ball.

The great players are great because they have the ability to make a difference, to put their hand up, when it really matters. The old saying, "when the going gets tough, the tough get going", is so relevant when describing the top players. It seems that the premier players thrive on the opportunity to make runs or take wickets when it counts the most.

Waugh, on Sunday, and Brian Lara, in the recent Test series in the Caribbean, are two examples of batting genius and mental toughness at their best. Under immense pressure that few people could truly comprehend, these two led by fearless example to pull their teams out of a fire that threatened to engulf their teams and their countries' cricketing hopes and ambitions.

If New Zealand's run chase against India on Saturday was brilliant, then Australia's effort in beating South Africa was simply awesome. Inspired by Waugh's skilful, innovative and determined century, Australia will go into their semi-final rematch against South Africa flying high.

I feel that the four teams left standing are the rightful contenders for the World Cup. Before the tournament began, Waugh made it clear to his team and the public that this World Cup opportunity was not to be taken lightly. By the look in his eye on Sunday, I get the feeling that the Australia players will understand how important this World Cup is to their captain.

While Zimbabwe will obviously be disappointed to be out of the tournament, they will take heart from an excellent campaign that saw them come so very close to a semifinal berth. At the end of the day, every team had their destiny in their own hands and, having lost two of their Super Six games, they would probably have considered themselves fortunate to have finished ahead of any of the remaining four teams.

Although England's premature exit from the World Cup caused bitter disappointment around the country, all has not been lost from English cricket's point of view. While the host nation's performances may have been discouraging, there are sure to be many positive outcomes from playing host to one-day cricket's premier tournament.

Apart from exposing masses of young children around the country to exciting and entertaining cricket, the event from the outside looks to have been run exceptionally well, with the game of cricket being the overall winner.

Because of the need for world-class facilities for the World Cup, many of the county grounds have taken on massive improvements. As a result, English first-class grounds are now of a world-class standard. Having travelled the county circuit this summer, the enhancement of a number of grounds is very evident.

Glamorgan's county ground in Cardiff has been improved by the addition of an outstanding indoor stadium. After using the new indoor nets there, it was clear that the Australia players were thrilled with the facilities granted to them before the World Cup. They are as good as any I have seen around the globe.

The county clubs obviously worked overtime in the build-up to this cricket season and I am sure that the game will prosper as a result, with the improved facilities acting as a lure to players and supporters. If such excellent facilities help to improve players' techniques and desire to play the game, then this World Cup will still have been one of the best things that has happened to English cricket.

From the printed edition of The Times, June 15, 1999

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