The English Men’s Cricket teams is having a rough Ashes tour in Australia.
The travelling side that plays with an aggressive and attacking style known as ‘Bazball’ have been far from their best.
In the two tests so far, they’ve been soundly beaten by their hosts and trail the five match series 2-0 heading to the third test in Adelaide.
Former England captain Hasser Hussain didn’t hold back in his criticism of the English, saying the team was “out bowled, out batted, out caught, out thought.”
After their defeat in the second test in Brisbane, their coach Brendon McCullum said they’d “over prepared” so ahead of the next test England is taking a different approach.
The team has taken a break and are spending time in the seaside town of Noosa to play golf and relax by the beach.
As captain Ben Stokes explained: “We’ve been here for four weeks, and it’s been pretty full on— on the field and off. As physical as this game is, a huge part of it is also the mental side of it.”
Why is rest important?
Stokes pointed out that recent struggles weren’t just about physical fatigue they were also due to mental strain.
Rest is a critical aspect of athletic performance because it supports recovery, skill development, and expertise.
Yet, traditional ideas of rest often focus only on inactivity, missing the broader benefits of truly stepping back.
A study of 18 athletes and four staff members found that athletes achieve genuine rest through a combination of sleep and wakeful rest.
Wakeful rest includes activities that allow the mind to disengage from sport like watching TV or spending time in a different environment helping athletes recharge mentally and emotionally.
In this case, the England team is putting these principles into practice – they’re leaving the game behind for a while, decompressing, and doing something entirely different.
What is decompression?
Decompression is the process of giving ourselves time and space to recover from intense experiences. It’s not just about physical rest it’s about mental recovery too.
How can decompression help mentally?
- Reconnect with the sport: Stepping away from the pressures of performance allows athletes to remember why they love the game.
- Reconnect with their ‘why’: Time off provides perspective, helping players reflect on their purpose and motivation.
- Reduce stress and mental fatigue: Decompression gives the mind a break from constant pressure, helping prevent burnout.
- Improve focus and decision-making: Returning refreshed can enhance concentration and clarity on the field.
- Strengthen resilience: Mentally recovering from setbacks off the field can translate into stronger, more composed performance during matches.
- Team Bonding: Spend time getting to know your teammates as people outside of the sport. Building these personal connections off the field can strengthen trust, communication, and chemistry, which often translates into better teamwork and performance on the field.
In short, rest and decompression are tools for peak performance.
By taking time away from the grind, England is giving themselves the best chance to bounce back stronger for Adelaide.
