Proteas team prove they're only human

There have been several explanations offered for South Africa's disappointing loss against India at Cochin on Thursday. As Hansie Cronje himself admitted, a score of over 300 should have been relatively easy to defend, yet South Africa failed to do so.

It must be said: there cannot really be excuses. Led by an exhilarating 92 runs from Ajay Jadeja, the Indians successfully climbed the 300-run Everest. They were helped on their way by a strangely inept South African bowling attack.

When Ganguly struck his first boundary off the first ball of the innings, there was cause for concern. The South African bowlers made too many errors and gave away too many extras.

Dropped catches didn't help. Our boys have been so exceptional in the field for so long that it is always a shock when they prove, at times, that they are only human. On a batsman's paradise, however, every chance has to be taken.

There were some shoddy umpiring decisions, not the least Shaun Pollock's so-called "no-ball". It was really a crucial point of the match and must have nearly broken the South Africans' fighting spirit.

Surely the time has come, as I mentioned in a previous column, for technology to be used whenever it can be, to save embarrassment and bitter frustration all round.

If the available technology isn't utilised to full effect soon, many sports viewers are simply going to lose interest.

It could be argued, however, that the match in Cochin was lost when our boys were batting. At one stage it looked as if we would amass a score closer to 350 than to 300.

Scoring initially at over eight runs to the over, Kirsten and Gibbs really laid a brilliant foundation. However, the innings floundered for a while and the heady pace slowed. At this important point the Indians were given a glimmer of hope.

The reasons for the deceleration were the Cochin heat and humidity. Viewers didn't have to be told that it was 39°C with 95 percent humidity. We could see Gibbs and Kirsten's dark green outfits turning darker as they were drenched in sweat.

With his score in the 50s and 60s, Gibbs showed the exhaustion he was experiencing with cramps, a drooped head and occasional bending and stretching. Later, fair, pale-skinned Mornantau Hayward also wilted in the conditions, battling to complete his spell of bowling.

The intensity of international one-day cricket must be difficult to maintain under the best of conditions. It must be almost impossible in conditions resembling hot soup.

It goes without saying that the Indians were always going to cope better in conditions to which they are accustomed and have more experience. At the periods corresponding to the doldrums of the South African innings the Indians were able to maintain their momentum.

They would probably have struggled a bit as well but the typical symptoms of exhaustion, cramping, dizziness, loss of strength and loss of concentration could not have affected them as badly. That single factor alone might have been the difference between the two teams and victory and defeat.

Understanding the problems of dehydration and heat exhaustion helps to combat their effects. First, it helps to avoid playing in the worst conditions. Was Cronje's decision to bat first and field later the correct one, given the conditions?

Marathon runners know that pace judgment is vital. In tough conditions furious attack only works in very short bursts. It cannot be sustained indefinitely. Drinking ample fluids and regular sponging with cold water can help, but can also irritate through interfering in the continuity of a game.

It might have helped the South Africans to slow the pace, and interrupt the game for drinks and sponging. Judicial use of the 12th man could also help to relieve the burden on the team.

Finally, light clothing and light-coloured clothing can help to keep dehydration and heat exhaustion at bay. This sentiment may be viewed as unpatriotic, but our dark green one-day colours need to be changed for lighter hues for duty in the Indian climate.

Our dark colours tend to absorb heat while the Indians, in their pale blue, have the ideal hot-weather outfit.

In international athletics, the New Zealanders compete in their famous All Black strip - except when it comes to running marathons in the heat. Then, they simply wear white. Perhaps we need to do the same.

Nothing prepares sportsmen and women better for tough, warm weather conditions than the experience of playing in them.

With everything in their favour the Indians just managed to scrape home against Hansie and his team. It's my bet it won't happen again.