Who is Stefan Bellof?

He's not a expert groundsman who specialises in dealing with Asian conditions.

He's not a new age coach who as formulated a statistical analysis of shot success rates in varied environments.

Stefan Bellof was the master of the wet weather track in F1. At least he was for one Monaco Grand Prix back in 1984!

Starting last in the worst car in F1, his team mate, Martin Brundell, had already managed to flip his Tyrell in practice. To top it off, Bellof's engine was cranking out somewhere in the region of 150bhp less than many of his competitors. He took to the grid as the only non-turbo car involved.

His chances of overtaking a few cars? Slim, but not impossible.

His chances of getting involved in the race for a podium position? None.

However Belloff put himself in a position to do just that. Climbing 17 places to 3rd, he was rapidly closing the gap between himself and race leaders Senna and Prost before the race was abandoned on the 32nd lap.

So how does this relate to cricket?

Belloff did one thing that we so often fail to do: He embraced the conditions that day. He didn't complain or moan. Nicki Lauder who finished back in 8th, not gaining a single place, was the one who got caught up in the conditions.

Belloff took a logical approach. He knew that conditions would be difficult, which for him screamed "opportunity", much in the way that a wet wicket can. Regardless of physical attributes, appropriate tactics and application would become more important now.

He also realised quickly that the skills and technology that everyone had at their fingertips weren't as relevant to this situation, and that's often the same in cricket.

If you don't have ability to bowl 80mph, it probably doesn't matter. At 65mph a ball is often more likely to get stuck in the pitch making batting even harder.

If all you can do it block it or bash it, maybe you'll find your lack of options actually plays in your favour. While the plethora of shots your opposition may have have can simply cloud their decision making.

So when the rain falls how does your team approach the challenge ahead?

With the excitement of a new challenge: Eagerness to learn, assessing the alien conditions and adapting. Or, does your team take the negative approach, complaining that's it's cold and that they were caught at cover because the ball, surprise surprise, stopped in the pitch.

Smart players adapt.

Great players enjoy a challenge, and quality coaches make sure their players "control the controllables", rather than stressing about things beyond their influence.