Cricketers told to have more sex

It's been a debate among sportspeople for ages - does sex enhance, or diminish, a sportsman's on-field performance?

Some coaches have banned WAGs (wives and girlfriends) completely from touring with sports teams. Others have had a more relaxed attitude.

During the 1970 World Cup soccer tournament in Mexico, England manager Sir Alf Ramsey is said to have expressed concern at the effects on the team's cohesion of the presence of the wives of four players.

In more recent times, the lifestyle of Victoria and David Beckham has created intense interest about a soccer star's life beyond the pitch, and was the inspiration for a TV series, Footballers' Wives.

Other sports have their high-profile examples as well: Tiger Woods and girlfriend/wife Elin Nordegren (golf) and Lleyton Hewitt and Bec Cartwright (tennis).

Now, a sports blog published in Britain's Daily Telegraph today suggests one team may be planning to bed-hop their way to cricket's Champions Trophy.

India coach Gary Kirsten has reportedly circulated a four-page preparatory document among the members of Mahendra Dhoni's squad, who assembled for the tournament in South Africa this week.

One chapter had the title "Does sex improve performance?"

"Yes it does, so go ahead and indulge!" reads the document, which has been leaked to the Hindustan Times newspaper.

"From a physiological perspective, having sex increases testosterone levels, which cause an increase in strength, energy, aggression and competitiveness", the handout states.

- NZHERALD STAFF