Whether you are in the USA or not, the decision of the next President is a critical one. The whole world feels the effects.

In a similar way to the US citizens, your choice has a far reaching influence. Only in this case it's on your aims to succeed as a cricketer.

In the US election, McCain can be seen as the safe, establishment candidate. He has a well established record and a generally conservative approach. As President he replaces a similar minded man in the White House. You know where you are with McCain.

In cricket training terms you could look on this as the player who does things the way that have always been done in the past.

• Skill is the only thing that matters so spend lots of time in the nets.
• Runs and wickets are all that count so play a lot of cricket.
• Mental toughness innate. The weak will fall by the wayside.
• Playing cricket is the only exercise you need.

Why change, you could argue, if these methods have worked over the years to create many fine players?

The real Obama is a young, black man with a campaign policy for liberal change. He has come from the unknown and so is untested as a person and with his policies. Many will fear what may happen the inexperienced Obama becomes US President.

The cricketing version of this are the new coaching methods developed in the worlds of sport science and professional cricket coaching. The ideas are new and not as established. If they work they could make a huge difference, but will fear of failure hold them back?

• Skill is the peak that is built on other critical elements that must be developed as well.
• Runs and wickets are the ultimate indicator, but to get them you must take a wider view.
• Mental toughness is a skill to be learned like any other.
• Modern cricket demands increased strength and speed that is developed away from the field.

The Obama argument is simple. When striving to get the edge, you need to do things differently and abandon the old ways as no longer enough.

If you were voting in this cricketing election, where would you lie?

Are you an establishment person or someone looking for the edge? Maybe you think there is no real difference at all.