Can read your mind, don't need a coach! South Africa's batsman Rilee Rossouw (R) embraces his teammate Hashim Amla during an ODI vs West Indies.
© AFP
They have never won the World Cup. They are infamous as being cricket's biggest chokers. And yet, the South African cricket team - one of the favourites to win the World Cup - have opted to not add a sports psychologist to their long list of support staff for the upcoming event Down Under. (Complete coverage of the World Cup )
Revered for their roles in helping international teams during big tournaments, sports psychologists have made a name for themselves in different games the world over. The Proteas though, it appears, are backing their cricketing skills to take them to the top. (Also read: Australia favourites to win World Cup despite Clarke's fitness woes )
According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, coach Russell Domingo feels the World Cup should be seen as any other series so that pressure doesn't take its toll. "We're not taking one. I've tried to approach this World Cup as though we are approaching any other series," he was quoted as saying.
"We've been playing really good cricket without the services of a mental coach over the last year and a bit, so why create the anxiety when we've been doing so well without it?"
Ranked as the best Test side, the South Africans are third in the ICC ODI rankings - just one point behind defending champions India. The team has played dominant cricket in the last few months with the recent home series against West Indies showcasing their firepower once again.
Under captain AB de Villiers - who hit the quickest ODI century last month -- the team appears ready for the biggest battle of all.
"This team is mentally in a better state than it's ever been. They've won games in high-pressure situations under different conditions at different venues. They've got a pride in performance, they are passionately led by a captain who plays with his heart on his sleeve," said Domingo, further backing up his belief that such a group of professional players don't need the services of a mental coach.
Sports psychologist though is the only support staff missing. Like most other top side, the South African bus - apart from players and the head coach - will also carry an assistant coach, a former coach, three different bowling coaches, a fitness coach, a physiotherapist, a logistics manager, a team manager, a media manager, a security manager and a video analyst.
The team is in Pool B and will play its first match against neighbours Zimbabwe on February 15 at Hamilton, New Zealand. The group also features India, Pakistan and West Indies as the other top teams.
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