Swann says England are backward on mental health

Graeme Swann has criticised England’s “backward” approach to psychology, suggesting that players are unprepared for the mental demands of Test-match cricket.

There are concerns that England’s convincing series win over South Africa and three Tests against a depleted West Indies will leave them undercooked for the hostility of the Ashes tour this winter.

An entourage of analysts, coaches and medical experts will travel with them, but Swann claims that for a team that prides itself on attention to detail, England are overlooking the players’ mentality.

The former off-spinner said: “That shows how backward we are as a sport where we think full-time fielding coaches, batting coaches and full-time mentors are more important than a psychologist.

“It’s mind-boggling to me. Every international team should have three or four full-time psychologists. The mental side of Test cricket is so powerful, convincing yourself you’re going to do well every day, and yet we still pay lip service to it. Australia, last time I was there, the psychologist came home a week before the first Test match, which to me is incredible.”

Swann added: “People think that psychology is seeing a shrink and talking about your fears. It’s the exact opposite. It’s getting the best out of your mental state.

“Getting on to the field knowing you’re going to perform on that day is no different in Test cricket than it was in club cricket when you were 15. But you create pressure in your head that doesn’t actually exist.”

Graeme Swann was speaking in association with Specsavers – title sponsor of the County Championship. For information specsavers.co.uk