By Mark Richardson New Zealand Test batsman

The critics and punters left Lord's satisfied and probably on a high following a very good Test match which ended with a result in the last session that was not contrived in any way.

Scoring a century at Lord's was a huge personal thrill

But while spectators leave the ground or turn off the TV and walk away with a sense of fulfilment, not many appreciate the emotional toll the five days takes on the players.

We have all heard the expression 'It's 90% mental at the top level' and it is absolutely true.

During the five days of a Test each player is under mental duress at various stages and this is magnified during a close game like the one at Lord's.

Whether it is opening the batting on the first day and trying to get away to a solid start, trying to rebuild after losing some quick wickets, bowling when the batters are on top or chasing down a target everyone is mentally tested at some stage.

Richardson's ton-up relief

At the end of the five days it is over and win, lose or draw, whether they have achieved personal success or failure, most players will be exhausted, but more mentally than physically.

For me, all I crave is the opportunity to be 'brain dead', to not have to think about anything, to be totally free from anything mentally taxing.

I suspect winners and losers do the same thing but in a different way.

The victors will blow off steam in the celebratory way, the losers probably spend time in quiet reflection, but all removed from the stress of a bad ball or false shot.

Hussain had the mental strength to see England home

The need for mental down time is crucial before preparing yourself for the build-up to the next Test and processing the information you banked over the previous five days.

Take my example. I had a good Test, plenty of runs and time in the middle but throughout I was aware of what was working and, more importantly, what was not.

I got a feel for the English bowlers - the three cracks on the helmet a rather more vivid feel than I would have liked.

But if I am going to effectively prepare for the challenge of performing in the next Test I must ensure my mind is rejuvenated. I believe all players all go through this process.

Looking back at Lord's, Nasser Hussain's century for England will be hailed as one of the great fighting knocks under pressure by a truly gritty campaigner and in Andrew Strauss there was the emergence of a new star.

In my opinion, we were outplayed in all facets of the game, not by much, but enough.