Batting on a sticky wicket: Identifying sources of stress and associated coping strategies for professional cricket batsmen

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to examine the sources of stress and associated coping strategies as reported by professional cricket batters.MethodsNine male professional cricket batters completed a semi-structured interview to examine their stress sources and associated coping strategies. A combination of inductive and deductive content analyses provided a detailed data analysis for the two areas of investigation.ResultsThe interviews revealed a total of 25 general dimensions for the sources of stress and 23 general dimensions for the coping strategies.ConclusionsDespite the overlap between stress sources and coping strategies to previous literature, practitioners need to be aware of the specific demands of the sport in which they are working. Future research suggestions are made regarding the study of stress and coping in sport.