As a young cricketer you are always told of the need for mental strength to succeed at the top level. However, do we as cricketers really require mental strength when we are playing well? Unfortunately the answer to this is no.

Growing up in league cricket I was always dreaming of a career in the professional game. To play for England, to be a capped Yorkshire player, I believed if I worked hard enough and was mentally strong enough to compete this was how my life would pan out. Unfortunately as youngsters we often don't realise that the reason you need to be mentally strong is for all the failings within a professional career, and how you bounce back from these failings determines ones mental strength.

On the 11th June 2009, my career with Yorkshire CCC ended. I was called into Martyn Moxon's office and told, "Finchy you're a great kid, a truly hard worker and a pleasure to coach, but we've decided to let you go."

Driving home from Headingley I phoned my Dad, my biggest critic, my biggest fan, and even though he lacks any cricket coaching qualifications, the best coach I have ever had. I was broken. I was in tears, "Dad I'm sorry, I have let you down, I am a failure." Nobody ever explained the need for mental strength in this situation to me as a youngster.

We hear a lot in cricket and sport in general about mental strength, but what is it? In my opinion it is simply the ability to deal with failure the same way you deal with success, to get back on that horse, to never give up, to believe in yourself and to take criticism constructively in your aim to be the best you can be. The worst day of my life was June 11th 2009, the day that has taught me the most in my life.... June 11th 2009.

My advice to all young cricketers is be single minded in your quest to be the best cricketer you can possibly be. Work hard, have fun, but be strong in mind because no matter who you are, along the road to success comes failure and it’s how you deal with it that determines how far you will go. Get back up, dust yourself off and try again!

Good luck!

Finchy