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Considering the toughness of the World Cup tournament, it is really creditable for Sri Lanka to have won two matches. In fact, no team has a record of hundred percent success. That shows what a competitive game cricket is. Like any other sports, cricket too needs certain guidelines and principles. I have identified seven of them which may be helpful in getting into the right frame of mind.

1. Concentration: The importance of mind over matter is a well known factor. Philosophers, psychologists and religious leaders make ample use of it in their instructions and sermons. The mind is certainly powerful. One has to gather the thoughts together in the form of meditation and contemplation. Moments of silence are essential for any person, if he or she wants to achieve anything worthwhile. When the mind is clear one can think sensibly and concentrate.

Omar Khan the brilliant NLP specialist was invited to conduct some sessions for our cricketers prior to their departure to England. Omar Khan's time-proven and result-oriented strategies will work only in a mind that is clean, clear and concentrated. But when the mind is saddled with innumerable and very serious domestic, marital, financial and personal problems, they will have less effect. Therefore mental fitness is a must for any type of competition.

2. Conviction: If one can master this admirable quality, one can achieve success beyond measure. If I am not convinced of what I am doing, my task is definitely going to be a failure. Sports stars must make use of this sterling quality. Be convinced that you are playing the game well. Be convinced that you can win. Be convinced that you can put up a decent fight and give a good account of yourself.

   The overall performance of our cricketers was rather dismal and pathetic. They were not convinced of their own talents. They were not convinced that they were ``World Champions'' before, the masters of the game. Their poor performance in that crucial match against India was self-evident.

   Because of his strong conviction, man was able to sail over the seas, fly in the sky, conquer the highest mountain, set foot on the moon, send rockets to Mars and Venus and invent mind-boggling machines. It is his conviction that carried him to lofty heights of glory.

3. Commitment: There should always be a commitment to a cause. One's heart and soul should be there. There is no half-hearted measures in a competition. One has to be hundred percent committed. It is like being committed to a worthy cause. Day and night a person thinks about it and takes effective steps to achieve his goal. Conviction without commitment serves little purpose. Like other sports, one has to be committed in playing cricket; whether it is batting, bowling or fielding. Every department and aspect of the game is important and therefore needs commitment. The selectors, managers and coaches should inspire the players through their one hundred percent commitment to the game.
4. Common sense: It seems to be a very rare quality in us humans. Even intellectuals and erudite scholars would like to acquire this simple but essential quality. Common sense also could be called pragmatism, something down to earth. Grave mistakes and unnecessary blunders can be easily avoided if one makes use of pure and simple common sense.

   It is a noble spirit to respect the opponents and give them due credit. Knowing the exceptional talents the other side has, the side that is winning the toss must decide wisely what exactly it is going to do. When it is a batting - wicket and you have a fast outfield, you don't allow the other side to bat first. Because the team that is batting second is very often under pressure. A little common sense should help. Sri Lanka and India paid the penalty for acting strange. Just take the last over of any match. It is very crucial because it can swing the match in your favour or against. A good dose of common sense could save the entire team of unnecessary blushes. Wides, no-balls, overthrows, suicidal runouts which cost a team dearly, could be easily curbed with common sense, especially when the team is in dire straits.

5. Class: We need class, in other words, a very high standard; spiritual, moral and emotional, even in sports. Players attain distinction by making ample use of God-given, in-born and acquired talents. People judge a player by his deeds and not by his empty words. Proud pronouncements and arrogant attitudes very often make one to bite the dust. A touch of class can help a player to climb the ladder of success. Dependability, durability and consistency go along with class. Discipline, responsibility and determination add colour to it.
6. Character: You are worth your character or the excellence of your quality for that matter. Integrity, decency and humility among other virtues, adorn your character. As the saying goes, ``You cannot act straight and think crooked.'' You have to be yourself; honest, true, just, patient and show that you are made of a sterner stuff than one could imagine; enduring, fool-proof and dominant. You are a good leader because of your character not because of your wealth, possessions, name and fame. Show your true character and the spectators will love you for it.
7. Courage: Courage means rising equal to the occasion; taking up the gauntlet; accepting the challenge fearlessly; making every effort to fight to play well. One may not win at all, but her or she can always put up a decent fight.

   Courage is meant not only for the players, but for the selectors, coaches and managers as well. They should have the courage to ward off undue interference, political or otherwise; not to be servile and cow and bow down to any pressure from anyone. A few good and courageous men and women can change the nature of anything. A courageous attitude towards the game will favour your chances of winning or at least of playing the game well.