Post Card from India: 'Golf and contacts in the Silicon Valley'

I must be honest and say I am disappointed not to be playing in the deciding test match, only because I, like any sportsman, really wanted to be part of the action in the middle and that of the winning team. For me, the first test was a great personal experience, although not contributing the way I know I can and would like to have done.

The Mumbai test was really exciting, sitting in the dressing room and waiting to bat. The boys were sticking to the cricketing practice of not moving seating plans so as not to lose any wickets. This is exactly how we do it in the Gauteng and I'm sure most teams around the world adopt this superstitious cricketing principle.

It's a funny feeling waiting to bat like that. You don't want a wicket to fall at all yet at the same time you want to be out in the middle and do the business for the team.

I was not surprised to walk to the middle on Tuesday and see the wicket they've prepared for this game. The Indians are certainly backing their strengths by preparing a real turner and trying to nullify our pace attack. I think the wicket will break up and crumble which will make batting very difficult as the match progresses through days 3 to 5 (if it goes that far).

It really is good to have Daryll fit again, as he will potentially play a huge part in this match for us. Its been great to see our top order playing so well and giving us the start we have been needing and hopefully we can keep this up for the test match.

I'm very happy with the news out of Gauteng and to see we are in the semis of the one-dayers back home. I've heard the boys have played some nice cricket and this is good as our goal we set ourselves at the beginning of the season was to play good, consistent cricket and to try and reach the final stages in all competitions.

Bangalore is a nice city. Myself and some of the boys had a good round of golf on Tuesday afternoon, with AD, Nicky, Striker and Bouchie taking the cash. The usual bunch of ringers. I was hitting it really badly and can't wait for the return game and my revenge at Pecanwood. I shall be finetuning my game come the winter break.

Being involved in the IT industry in SA myself with Verbatim, it is interesting to be in the heart of the Silicon Valley here in Bangalore. This is where the IT action is in India and I've had an opportunity to do a bit of a recce and observe the progress being made over here. They are really taking advantage of their massive potential market and I would look to establishing a few contacts for me in the future.

Over up and time.