Both Test cricket and psychoanalysis are out of tune with a world that demands quick results. Former England cricket captain Mike Brearley, now Britain’s leading psychoanalyst believes, that it is a big loss. Psychoanalysis according to him “tells stories in similar depth, with repetitions from different points of view. And these things take time, as does Test cricket. Edward Marriott has more in Prospect magazine.

Certainly, despite its genteel reputation, few games are as psychologically arduous. On-field aggression is rife: former Australian captain Steve Waugh once described his sledging techniques as “mental disintegration”; while South African batsman Daryll Cullinan was so distressed by Shane Warne’s intimidation that he took time out for therapy, only to be greeted on his return with the words “I’m going to send you straight back to the leather couch,” from his tormentor. Long foreign tours have also seen intense homesickness suffered by players like Steven Harmison, and contributed to Marcus Trescothick’s breakdown and resignation from the England side in 2006.

	Feedback