'We've achieved a little bit of history'

Having an aim or a goal in life is often regarded as a pre-requisite for success. The same applies in sport, probably even more so.

One attribute of this SA Cricket Team that I have noticed over the years has been the unwavering desire of achieving the goals set out at the beginning of each season. It is important to aim high yet be realistic in what you aim for. This is the reality now with this team. It aims high and it achieves these goals, such as the win in Kenya, the series' win against Zimbabwe and England and now the test series in India. Sharjah is next.

This win in India has been incredible for the players. We came with memories of the '96 tour which was long, hard and emotionally very tough, not to mention the cricket either. Now, we'll leave knowing we've achieved a little bit of history and have beaten a team that has been invincible at home for 13 years.

The feat accomplished will probably only be put into perspective when the next few teams come to India to play a test series against them. The Aussies were here two years ago and left beaten. It's a tough place to tour and is certainly not for the faint-hearted.

You see, when you tour the sub-continent, it's not only the Indian cricket team that you seem to play against, it's the other unknown factors as well which you need to ward off or overcome. Things like not being able to stroll around at night for a meal. Hundreds, no thousand of cricket-loving fans gawking at you all the time, asking for "your good-name" or "one-snap please" and never leaving you alone. Flights seem to take twice as long because of delays or having to go via a hub city like Mumbai, this adding more stress to your travels. Furthermore, boredom can play a huge part and although TV has improved with a few satelite channels, not getting out of the hotel can become a mental trap and drain any strong brain.

It's important for the team that the players stay healthy and eat well. Fortunately, the hotels are mostly 5-star quality and the food is well prepared. On this trip the caterers at the hotels and the grounds must be complimented as the food has been outstanding.

When touring India, one is not on holiday. The guys are here working, putting bread on the table back home and paying off the bonds. So, the working conditions are a lot different to what one is used to back home and this too can take it out on the players. Imagine trying to do your job in a foreign country without your e-mail, secretary and office back home. Not easy!

So, a huge amount of credit must go to the organization that has been put into this tour. Being able to spend the first 10 days in Mumbai and then having only one flight between the first two tests has helped the players settle in and relax immensely and I'm convinced this has played a huge role in our success.

And whom do we have to thank for all of this. The little legend, Goolam, for his foresight, the recce trip he did and his planning skills that have really been the difference between the success of this trip and the failure of the past ones.