Both Bruyninckx and McGreskin have embraced "overload" drills to help tune players' brains, where some might be asked to speak in different languages during fitness training while others are asked to toss a tennis ball around and call out colors during sessions involving the football.

CNN: Mind over matter: Soccer's bid to train the brain

The Hammers' day started badly before they had even kicked a ball, with news that key midfielder Scott Parker had failed a fitness test, along with captain Matthew Upson.

BBC: West Ham 1-1 Blackburn

Paceman Dale Steyn proved his fitness after a broken thumb, however, ensuring the Lions were penned in with a new ball spell of 1-13 from six overs, claiming the wicket of highly-rated Joe Denly.

BBC: South Africa deny battling Lions