The Surfer

The Indians have been at the receiving end of most of the referrals and there have been reports that players are not happy with some of the verdicts that went against them ... But in most cases the right decision based on the technological evidence has been given and that is what should matter in the end. Just because the Indians have got more decisions against them should not be the yardstick to judge the referrals.

Pietersen has been decisive and unfussy (banning the huddle was a significant start). He has been himself, not striving for ostentation or effect (or at least no more than usual). He has been generous towards his men, enjoying their individual success, and paternal towards the youngest player most needing encouragement, Stuart Broad. He has inspired some players, notably Steve Harmison. He has been energy itself in the field since taking over, whereas white South Africans in general have not radiated total commitment while fielding for England.

Batsmen with 100-plus Tests behind them haven’t looked like experienced pros but like aging men struggling to find their feet. These are players who have bounced back after being written off but, in this series, waiting for them to fire has been long, if not futile. When Ishant Sharma has a better batting average than Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid, somehow, optimism and patience aren’t emotions that come to mind.

India will need to find a route other than defeat to win matches if Gary Kirsten’s ambition of becoming number one has to be realised. It is a good thought and one that all good teams must possess but to implement that, the entire team has to be comfortable with the idea. You cannot expect to be number one and lose by an innings and two hundred runs. Indeed, as most successful Olympic athletes will tell you, as indeed will Australia’s cricketers, the result cannot be a source of anxiety.

"One thing you don't want to do with Graeme is forget the fresh chewing gum at the drinks break. Half way through the afternoon session I ran out with towels, drinks, anything I could think of. The first thing Graeme said to me was 'have you got chewing gum?' I had forgotten it. I couldn't believe it, I felt like dying. But Graeme just smiled and said 'ok, no problem. I'll get some later.' ... Later he called for fresh batting gloves so I sprinted out to make up for my earlier mistake. Graeme just smile at me again and said 'Steyntjie, these are my net gloves!' The man batted through that whole innings with one pair of gloves. Normally he has to change them every ten overs! He was incredible, an absolute inspiration to all of us," Steyn said.