Dr. Gary Hermansson, who has helped New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth athletes at eight games dating back to the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, believes that perspective needs to be placed on New Zealand World Cup squad's campaign.
A leading New Zealand sports psychologist has claimed that the 'biggest challenge' for the cricket team would be to manage their 'mental game' in relation to the expectations of being successful at the World Cup.
Dr. Gary Hermansson, who has helped New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth athletes at eight games dating back to the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, believes that 'perspective needs to be placed' on New Zealand World Cup squad's campaign.
Brendon McCullum's team were branded as a tournament favourite along with Australia and South Africa early in the buildup to the World Cup and enhanced those claims with some stunning performances over the last two months, Stuff.co.nz reported. They continued their winning streak with their demolition of Sri Lanka in their opening cup game.
World Cup 2015: New Zealand huff and puff their way to victory over Scotland
Hermansson has acknowledged the 'pressures' on the New Zealand squad and says that the country can help them in a campaign that is 'full of expectation'. He said that with the mantle of world champion within reach, 'managing their mental game in relation to these expectations' would be the biggest challenge for New Zealand's World Cup team.
He insisted that when the 'importance of winning' comes to dominate the mind-set, people have a tendency to 'let self-doubt creep in'. Hermansson claimed that the 'flow-on effects of such fear' result in 'physical and mental tightness', with 'skill level, decision-making, and the ability to respond instinctively being severely undermined'.
Hermansson, who has also worked with the New Zealand squad on overseas and home assignments, believed 'expectations' led to a fear of choking in a sports-mad country. He also warned the New Zealand squad to 'tread carefully through the tournament'.
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 "New Zealand-cricket (File photo)")
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