Mental Attitude Triumphs – England 2009 Ashes Victory!

Everything aside, one has to acknowledge the feat accomplished by England. They have definitely triumphed over more vital test moments than we Australians have triumphed over them. Every Australian who loves the game hates to lose even a single run or wicket to the English, but then the same is true when reversed. It surely is not something either sports team considers as a good moment when they are outplayed by the other.
“Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude” -Thomas Jefferson.

It is not surprising that one can witness the above quote on a window outside the winning team’s changing rooms.
It is quite obvious that the English were armed with a better mental attitude for the final game, not to mention the second, as well as the third test match too. However, while it is not fair to discount the Australian team as they too fought well, they in no way can match the incredible consistency exhibited by the English.
For the few high moments in which the Australians where able to score, they had their share of equally low moments. Actually, during the whole test match, the English really had only one low score and that was the regrettable 102 in the fourth test match. But then, their recovery was something to be applauded.

It was a moment of truth for Ricky Ponting and of course, the whole Australian team. It is with a heavy but hopeful heart that I consider this day as the day the Australian cricket died, only to rise victorious when we face our nemesis in our home soil again in another 15 months.
The moment a game ends the blessed relief takes over both teams, irrespective of the outcome. The relief is something to be rejoiced and an out-of-the-world experience for the winning team, while it is quite different for the team that lost. The relief comes in the form of grief for the loser, which can last for days together or weeks or sometimes even longer, until they can compete in the next test series.
Well, one has to learn from mistakes and definitely this test match was a big mistake for the Australian team.
Without doubt hard work, determination and consistency will triumph over. This was evident throughout the whole series where the English proved their mettle. While one cannot expect to win every time, persistence and tenacity can surely help to bring in the victory. It is quite true that our team will feel dejected over this loss, but then mistakes are stepping stones to success and they will definitely learn from their mistakes and rise again to shine.

While every team will face a loss or win at one time or other, it is the attitude with which one approaches failure, not only in a game but in life, that will illustrate ones  character more powerfully than how one just enjoys victories. A valiant and noble loser will definitely learn to appreciate a victory infinitely more in future.