Series at stake for rusty hosts 2011-2012

Rain did not help, but South Africa were caught very much on the hop by Australia in the first ODI at Centurion. After Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke stood up to some strong early bowling in a manner that allowed Duckworth-Lewis to work heavily in the tourists' favour, Doug Bollinger, Mitchell Johnson, Pat Cummins and Xavier Doherty had their way with the ball against some indifferent batting in greasy conditions. Having had a six-month break from international cricket, South Africa will be better for the run and will not be making too many changes to the team. However they must win at St George's Park in order to stay in the series, being played over a tightly-squeezed three fixtures much as the Test series was chopped back to two matches...

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England seek consolation in heated series 2011-2012

The phrase 'to play for pride' is grossly overused, usually to lend a dead rubber some importance. But such has been the nature of the battle between India and England over the past few months that the sentiment may actually have some credence going in to the fourth ODI in Mumbai. MS Dhoni may not like the word "revenge" but surely he wouldn't mind "redemption" being used to describe India's performance at the end of the series. The magnitude of their failure in England means a simple series-win may not be enough to grant it. The fans want an emphatic scoreline. There could hardly be a better place for India to underline their recovery from the disastrous summer tour. Though it seems like it has been an eternity since, it was only six-and-a-half...

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England seek consolation in heated series 2011-2012

Kumar Sangakkara and Prasanna Jayawardene defied Pakistan for six hours, batting almost till tea on the final day to earn a draw for Sri Lanka. After losing five wickets on the fourth evening while still needing 81 runs to make Pakistan bat again, Sri Lanka benefited from six dropped chances in the second innings. Pakistan's bowlers toiled as much as the heat allowed them to, but their effectiveness was blunted by an unyielding pitch, abysmal catching and resolute batting. Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene achieved personal landmarks, with the former reaching his eighth Test double-century, putting him behind only Don Bradman and Brian Lara. The sixth-wicket partnership between Sangakkara and Jayawardene - easily the highest for Sri Lanka against...

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Parnell and Theron script stunning win 2011

South Africa 148 for 7 (Botha 34, Theron 30*) beat Australia 147 for 8 (White 39, M Marsh 36, Tsotsobe 2-11) by 3 wickets Wayne Parnell & Rusty Theron rescued South Africa from a seemingly hopeless position to snatch victory in the second Twenty20 and draw the series 1-1. Australia had the match all but won with five overs remaining, as South Africa needed 61 with three wickets in hand, an unlikely goal that Parnell and Theron reached with five balls to spare. In a breathtaking finish, the victory arrived with a slog-swept six over midwicket from the first ball of the final...

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