Clarke keeps Australia in control

Australia's captain Michael Clarke soared beyond 150 but his team's progress was pockmarked by wasteful moments from Steve Smith and David Warner on the second morning of the third Investec Ashes Test at Old Trafford. A century beckoned for Smith until he slogged unwisely at Graeme Swann, before Warner - with Clarke's approval - used up the tourists' final review for an obvious edged catch.

Clarke and Brad Haddin took Australia to lunch with plenty of run-scoring intent, and it will now be a question of how many runs Clarke wants and also how much time he believes will be required to press for victory in a match England need only to draw to retain the urn. Clarke's unbeaten innings is his highest against England, and his stand with Smith lifted the visitors to a strong position.

South Africa hope for respite in Pallekele

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium was modeled on Supersport Park in Pretoria. The grass banks and open spaces are similar, the stands bear the same minimalistic, angular roof and even the floodlight towers seem like carbon copies. Unlike Supersport Park, the Pallekele ground is nestled in the hills and closeted by heavy vegetation, but having struggled with adapting to Sri Lankan conditions, the South Africa team will hope it is more like home than the Premadasa Stadium. 


The surface has gained a reputation for being more conducive to fast bowling than most in the subcontinent, and the tall South Africa quicks should enjoy the bounce and carry that has often been a feature at the venue. They are on an 11-loss streak against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka, but perhaps they will also be buoyed by the fact that Sri Lanka have lost half their completed matches at the ground, most recently to Bangladesh in March. Kandy's cooler temperatures, and mountain breeze will be a welcome change from Colombo's heavy heat as well.

Sri Lanka 2-0 up after rainy day

Sri Lanka 223 for 9 (Dilshan 43, Chandimal 43, Morkel 3-34) beat South Africa 104 for 5 (Herath 2-16) by 17 runs (D/L method)

 A second, successive sub-standard performance with the bat saw South Africa undo their significantly improved showing with the ball to go 2-0 down in the series. On a slow surface, batting was laboured, and Sri Lanka's attack was able to defend with ease, the spinners getting the opposition batsmen into a tangle, again.

Lorgat wants to mend relationship with BCCI

Former ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat, who was appointed Cricket South Africa CEO, said he was saddened about his poor relationship with BCCI.

Ending weeks of speculation raised by India's reported opposition, Cricket South Africa appointed Lorgat as its CEO on Saturday, a post that was lying vacant after Gerald Majola was sacked in October last year due to the IPL bonus-payments controversy.

Ton-up Chris Gayle powers West Indies to 6-wicket win over Sri Lanka

Chris Gayle's 109 came off 100 deliveries and was embellished with seven sixes and nine fours. That pushed his team on to 209 for four off 37.5 overs and they earned a bonus point as well for reaching their target before the conclusion of the 40th over.

Chris Gayle notched his first one-day hundred against Sri Lanka as he led West Indies to a crushing six-wicket victory with more than 12 overs to spare in the opening match of the three-nation international series at Sabina Park on Friday.

2013 ICC Champions Trophy Final: India vs England - As it happened...

ENGLAND innings:

Over 20 || Score 124/8 

Ashwin to bowl the last over. The first ball spun away and Broad didn’t connect, 15 needed from 5, Dhoni appeals for a stumping and that again looked close, but the decision is not out. The second ball was a low full-toss, Broad sweeps, and connects well as the ball quickly travels to deep square leg for a boundary! Good shot under pressure. 11 needed from 4. Broad works the next ball towards mid-off for a single, 10 needed from 3, Tredwell on strike. The next ball was nudged towards wide of mid-off by Tredwell and a diving effort saves two runs, 8 needed from 2. Tredwell worked the fifth ball straight down the ground for two runs, 6 needed off the last ball. Can Tredwell do a Miandad? Can Ashwin be the hero? The last ball spun away and Tredwell didn’t connect, India have won the ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY BY 5 RUNS!

INDIA innings:

Over 20 || Score 129/7 

Bresnan to bowl the final over. The first ball was a bouncer and Ashwin worked that to deep square leg for a single. Jadeja worked the second ball straight down the ground for a single and Ashwin is run-out after he ran for the second one. Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes to the crease. Jadeja takes a single off the third ball. Bhuvan took a single off the fourth ball. Jadeja gets another length ball and he spanks that over long-on for another SIX! Bresnan bowled a short ball to end the over and Jadeja pulled that for two runs at midwicket. So India have managed to reach a decent total, after a middle-order collapse. Kohli and Jadeja have played two good innings giving their bowlers and fans something to cheer about.

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ICC Champions Trophy 2013: India vs Sri Lanka - As it happened

Toss: India have won the toss and elected to field first.

Two changes for Sri Lanka, Dinesh Chandimal and Shaminda Eranga have been left out. Thisara Perera and Jeevan Mendis are in.

India, on the other hand, have named an unchanged side.

England won by 10 runs

169 Run Rate: 7.19 Overs 23.3/24

Vs

159/8 Run Rate: 6.62 Overs 24/24

Now,

Standings of ICC Champions Trophy

'Cricket needs stronger player associations' - Marsh

Paul Marsh believes international cricket must be more accommodating to player associations if the sport is serious about eliminating the threat of corruption. Marsh was announced the new executive chairman of the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) this week and takes charge of the organisation at a challenging time.