Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport 15 (2012) 74–79 Original research Distinguishing psychological characteristics of expert cricket batsmen Juanita R. Weissensteiner a,∗ , Bruce Abernethy b,c , Damian Farrow d,e , John Gross f a Talent Identification and Development, Australian Institute of Sport, Australia b Institute of Human Performance, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong c School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Australia d School of Sport and Exercise Science, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living, Victoria University, Australia e Skill Acquisition, Australian Institute of Sport, Australia f Psychology Department, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Australia Received 3 February 2010; received in revised form 4 July 2011; accepted 5 July 2011 Abstract Objectives: This paper sought to determine the psychological characteristics and skills that are fundamental to batting success in the sport of cricket. Design and method: 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. © 2011 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Psychology; Cricket; Expertise; Mental toughness 1. Introduction At an elite level, cricket is considered predominately a ‘mental game’. 1 Successful batting requires prolonged error-free performance of interceptive skills with temporal and spatial demands that test the limit of human psychomotor capability. 2 To survive and excel, a batsman must maintain optimal focus for every ball of their innings, selectively attending to only the relevant cues on offer (e.g., the kinemat- ics and body language of the incoming bowler, positioning of fieldsmen, and the incoming ball) while disregarding distractors and stressors including intimidation from the opposing team, crowd noise, environmental conditions, ∗ Corresponding author. E-mail address: juanita.weissensteiner@ausport.gov.au (J.R. Weissensteiner). fatigue, nervousness, expectations and self-doubt. 3 Given its apparent importance, it is somewhat surprising that limited empirical research exists exploring the link between psycho- logical factors and batting performance. The extant research has primarily been unidimensional with psychological characteristics such as mental toughness and coping ability examined in isolation using only one instrument and adopt- ing a non-pluralistic theoretical approach. 3–5 Insistence on such an approach may be problematic given that it is unlikely that existing single instruments are able to fully capture the myriad attributes, skills and functional interactions that are now thought to contribute to sporting expertise. 6–8 Contemporary research adopting a multi-factorial approach indicates that a favorable mix of psycholog- ical attributes and skills is necessary to support elite performance. 6–8 Orlick and Partington 8 incorporated a survey preceded by interviews to examine the psychological 1440-2440/$ – see front matter © 2011 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2011.07.003