Punter's best weapon against bogyman is his mind

A top psychologist believes Ricky Ponting should not overreact to mind games, writes David Sygall in the Sydney Morning Herald. Performance psychologist Phil Jauncey uses interesting analogies, but the former Australian cricket team consultant's explanations provide a clue as to what might be swirling around Ponting's mind as he prepares to face West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach in the limited-over series this week.

Steve Waugh, for instance, stopped playing the short ball. Ponting worked on it and played it attackingly. They're both good answers because they both show that the batsman's in control. The problem arises if the batsman starts wishing the bowler didn't bowl short. Once you start saying, 'If only', you're giving up control of the situation.