And everybody, sooner or later, endures a slump. It feels like you cannot practise, will or wish your way out of it either, no matter how determined.
But the good players emerge from a lean trot better players.
And Otago captain Aaron Redmond is a good player.
He has been a reliable contributor for Otago since transferring south from Canterbury in 2004-05.
In 43 first-class matches for the province, he has scored 2764 runs, including six centuries, at an average of 40.64.
But the 32-year-old has been out of sorts this summer. In four first-class games he has scored 107 runs at an average of 15.28, and has made an even worse start in the one day tournament with 16 runs in three games.
He is, of course, acutely aware of the drop-off in performance. What he is not sure about is why his form has fallen away.
A relaxed character, Redmond took over the captaincy reins from Craig Cumming this season but does not believe the extra responsibility has affected his game.
"I don't think so," Redmond responded.
"But when I look at my form from the start of the season I know I have missed out. But history shows I don't miss out too often.
"And part of being captain means you can't get too caught up in your own performance because you still have to pick yourself up and lead the team.
"I find I'm balancing it well. I just haven't scored the runs I'd like to have score but all it takes is one innings and things can change."
Redmond does not feel out of touch. He believes he has been timing the ball quite nicely in the nets and has been preparing well.
It is just the runs have dried up and that could change today.
Otago plays Central Districts in a one-day game at Saxton Oval in Nelson and Redmond will lead the side.
The Volts have named an unchanged side from the team which lost to Auckland by two wickets at the University Oval on Sunday. Redmond missed out with the bat in that game but Otago batted beautifully, reaching 302 for six from 50 overs.
Some poor fielding and worse bowling gave Auckland the leg-up it needed to overhaul the total.
Otago strike bowler Neil Wagner has enjoyed much success in first-class cricket but his form with the white ball has not been anywhere near as impressive. He still takes wickets but they often come at a terrible cost.
He had rough day against Auckland with just one wicket to show for the 76 runs he conceded.
Coach Vaughn Johnson may well be tempted to rest his leading strike bowler and give James McMillan an opportunity.
McMillan bowled well in the Plunket Shield albeit without a lot of luck.
Central Districts had a six-wicket win against Northern Districts in Hamilton on Sunday and has made two changes.
Stevie Smidt has been replaced by fast bowler Adam Milne, and Carl Cachopa makes way for left-arm spinner Martin Kain.
Ford Trophy
The teams
Otago: Aaron Redmond (captain), Neil Broom, Michael Bracewell, Craig Cumming, Sam Wells, Nathan McCullum, Jimmy Neesham, Derek de Boorder, Neil Wagner, Ian Butler, Nick Beard, James McMillan.
Central Districts: Jamie How (captain), Peter Borren, Peter Ingram, Martin Kain, Michael Mason, Adam Milne, Kieran Noema-Barnett, Tarun Nethula, Jacob Oram, Mathew Sinclair, Ben Smith, Kruger van Wyk.
