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DURBAN: Indian coach Gary Kirsten's reported advice to his players that sex is good for results has made the main lead in a number of Sunday newspapers in South Africa.

The Johannesburg-based Sunday Times' Extra edition asks the question: "Does sex produce more 6s?" in a front page lead story. The sub-headline states: "Indian cricketers told to 'indulge".

The Sunday Times also in another page carries the story under the headline: "Joy of sex isn't just a power kick" and the sub-headline reads: "Sex makes businessmen strong, politicians mean, and cricketers win".

The Durban-based Sunday Tribune Herald carries the story under the headline: "Players hit sex for six" and a sub-headline: "Cricketers take cover over furore".

After carrying Kirsten's denial that he had promoted his players to indulge in sex, the Sunday Times' Extra report carries comments by bloggers who discussed the issue and also reactions from sports commentators and cricket experts.

One the commentators, Robbie Naidoo, told the newspaper that he was not convinced that sex would enhance a cricketer's performance on the field.

He said: "There are so many theories about sex and sport going on since time immemorial. There was a theory that you should not have sex 24 hours before a match because it takes a lot of energy out of you, and people can say what you should do, or what you shouldn't.

"I think it is up to the individual. Whether it impacts on the game or not is yet to be seen. If the Indian coaching staff had facts about the issue, then it should be demonstrated scientifically.

"I think the Indian cricket team generally have other issues within the side and I think it has to do with the amount of quick bowlers they have in the side rather than the amount of sex they have."

The Sunday Tribune Herald carried some advice from sexual health practitioners for the players.

Dr Prithy Ramlachan of Durban said, "There's no reason why sportsmen should not have sex the night before a game, provided they get enough sleep."

What needs to be gauged is the effects intercourse has on the individual. If the player performed poorly in the bedroom this is likely to create anxiety which may affect his psyche on match day," Ramlachan added.

The "Gary Kirsten sex advice" also featured prominently on a number of radio talk shows at the weekend.