I didn’t see the England cricket team’s capitulation in the latter stages of the Champion’s Trophy  yesterday but the manner of the collapse, without taking anything away from India, who are obviously a top class side, was clearly pretty dire. I was reminded of something I once read about winners in sport.

It was an article by a leading American sportsman and sports psychologist who said, that at the highest levels of sport, (and this could apply to virtually any area of human endeavour) sportsmen, all bar a few exceptional athletes, are similar in their skill levels. He said that the skill factor accounts for approximately 90% of the performance but the vital part is the remaining 10% because that is what separates the great from the very good.

That 10% he said is all in the mind. You can call it self-belief, determination, lack of nerves, strength under pressure, positive thinking or an attitude of never say die. Whatever label you give it, it is an inner strength that for the most part cannot be taught. A psychologist may well be able to assist the athlete and add a few percent to the performance but without that steely inner core the athlete is doomed to be one of the also-rans. It is as true in life as it is in sport.

As for England, who have now lost their last five one day cricket finals, it’s a case of back to the drawing board. I hope somebody in the camp has got the telephone number of that sports psychologist!