Frustration over his own inability to convert starts into big scores was the catalyst for Josh Inglis' rapid rise towards Test selection for the Ashes.
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Inglis is likely to find out in the coming days if he has bolted into Australia's team for the first Test in Brisbane, locked in a battle with Alex Carey to succeed Tim Paine.
But it comes after a remarkable 15 months for the West Australian.
Sixty innings into his first-class career at the start of last summer, Inglis was yet to reach three figures after failing to convert nine half-centuries.
It prompted him to speak with sports psychologist Matthew Burgin and spend more time with batting coach Beau Casson, with a heavy focus on how to train his mind in between deliveries.
"It sort of plays on your mind after 20 or 25 Shield games without making a hundred," Inglis said.
"It was something that I really wanted to work on in my game.
"I went to Matt, who's now with Cricket Australia.
"I just really narrowed down my focus and my routines ... I just really wanted to face more balls and prolong my innings.
"I spoke in depth about that, it was brilliant.
"It changed my game and allowed me to build a couple of big innings last year."
The 26-year-old is doing his best to put Test selection out of his mind, reasoning he will still have a game for Australia A to prepare for if overlooked for the Ashes opener.
But the difference in Inglis since starting with Burgin has been stark, with his average before last summer 27.37 compared to 71.3 since - including three centuries.
It's also held him in good stead in recent weeks, with time as a reserve in Australia's Twenty20 World Cup squad and the ensuing hotel quarantine limiting time in the middle.
"That's probably the beauty of it. I can replicate what I'm doing in training and in games," Inglis said.
"It's not something that just comes out during a Shield game or an A game or whatever.
"I'm trying to use that every time I pick up a bat to help myself.
"It's before the ball is bowled, facing the delivery and then after the ball is bowled. It's everything.
"And it's doing it at training as well to make sure I'm replicating it as much as possible."
Australian Associated Press
