It is easy to be ‘rational’ about the first Standard Bank Pro result at the Wanderers. There was nothing we could do about the rain, we were very well placed to push for victory and we were extremely confident. So we shouldn’t be too upset because we can’t control the weather and there is still an awful lot of cricket to be played this summer.

    But being ‘rational’ is a theoretical exercise because it doesn’t really change the disappointment we all feel after losing an international match. We were very, very confident that we would win and we tried to be as prepared as possible for the calculations of Duckworth/Lewis when the weather started to close in.

    It helps when you can see the storm clouds gathering but you get a lot less notice when it’s dark! AB and Albie were as conscientious as they could be but it’s so hard to stay in touch when the target changes with every delivery and you have no idea when the last ball of the match might be bowled.

    It’s too easy for people to say ‘why didn’t they hit out earlier’ but when the scores are so close, and the match is in the balance and could finish at any time, the loss of a wicket can change the equation instantly and cost you the game. In that scenario, when the rain is imminent and there is no more than a run or two between the teams, a bowler who can deliver the perfect ‘yorker’ can win the game.

    It is a horrible situation for batsmen. If they lose their wicket they cost their team the game. If they block a couple of yorkers, and the rain comes, they cost their team the game. If they belt a couple of boundaries, of course, then they win the game and they become the hero. But there is always the thought that the rain might stay away for another ten minutes. You just never know.

    It was fabulous to watch Loots blaze his way to a 26-ball half century at the beginning of the run chase. He is a rare talent and, now that his injury problems seem to have abated (hopefully), it would be great to see him produce more and more innings like that to force his way back into the reckoning for ODI selection. I wish I could hit the ball as sweetly, and as often, as he does!

    There will be changes to the starting XI for the second Pro20 at Supersport Park on Sunday because we have committed ourselves to giving all of the 15-man squad one game. We might reconsider that policy but I have been so excited by the enthusiasm and determination of the new players in the squad in recent times that I would welcome a couple more.

    I hate losing. But I’ll take plenty of consolation from a series-levelling win on Sunday. We’ll all be very, very determined to square the Pro20 series at one of our favourite venues.