Kevin Pietersen is set to play his first match on Sunday since being dropped by England, after he was included in Surrey's squad for a 40-over game.
battling half-century from JP Duminy and a test best 46 not out from tailender Vernon Philander led South Africa's fightback as they closed on 262 for seven on the first day of the third and final test on Thursday.
Kumar Sangakkara scored his first international century in England as Sri Lanka secured a draw when rain brought an early finish to the third and final Test on Monday.
Pakistan scrambled the 40 runs they required to beat Australia by three wickets in the second Test at Headingley on Saturday to level the series at 1-1.
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has urged his team to show "mental strength and fortitude" at the Twenty20 World Cup after the trauma of Lahore this year when the team bus was attacked by armed militants.
Ian Bell is ready to support England captain Kevin Pietersen by taking on added responsibility as one of the more senior players in the team, the batsman said. Bell, a veteran of 43 Tests, told Reuters that after the exit of experienced players such as Marcus Trescothick, Ashley Giles and Matthew Hoggard it was time for him to be recognised as an elder statesman.
Graeme Smith plundered a fighting 154 not out to lead his South Africa team to a five-wicket victory over England that clinched the Test series at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Paul Collingwood reached his sixth test century with a six on Friday to keep England afloat on the third day of the third Test against South Africa at Edgbaston. Collingwood, who has scored only 96 first class runs this season, demonstrated his strength of character with an unbeaten 101 in England's 297 for six at the close.
Andrew Flintoff, set to play his first Test in 18 months on Friday when England face South Africa in the second Test at Headingley, is relishing a new beginning and believes his best years are still ahead of him. Flintoff, 30, last played a Test in January 2007 when he was captain of England as they lost the Ashes 5-0.
Teenager Tim Southee took four wickets to lead New Zealand to a 22-run win against England in the third one-day international on Saturday. New Zealand had appeared to be heading for a comprehensive defeat earlier after they slumped to 49 for five but after taking 50 runs from their last five overs to reach 182 all out, Southee ripped through England's middle-order.
Ian Bell, England's top-scorer in their last three ODIs against India, has credited assistant coaches Andy Flower and Allan Donald for the turnaround in his game.
India deserved their 1-0 series win against England after the third Test ended in a draw at The Oval on Monday, captains Michael Vaughan and Rahul Dravid said.
Kevin Pietersen played down the spat he and India spinner Anil Kumble had on the final day of the third Test at The Oval on Monday and suggested it was because the bowler was just intent on a victory.
Michael Vaughan backed the decision by former team mate Marcus Trescothick to withdraw from the winter tours saying on Thursday the opener could have endangered his England career by returning too soon.
England captain Michael Vaughan does not believe the memory of his most prolific home series, against India in 2002, will have any bearing when the teams open their three-Test series at Lord's on Thursday.
England left-arm spin bowler Ashley Giles, recovering from a third hip operation in 18 months, must decide whether to risk his long-term health with another comeback.
Mali Richards, son of former West Indies' captain Viv, was given the opportunity to live his dream on Thursday and play for West Indies after an injury crisis depleted their squad.
Spinner Monty Panesar's exuberance should not be discouraged even though he was warned for excessive appealing, England captain Michael Vaughan said on Thursday.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul led West Indies' fight at Old Trafford on Sunday as England struggled on the fourth day of the third Test to claim the nine wickets needed to wrap up a series win.
England captain Michael Vaughan was delighted to mark his first Test match in 18 months with a century and a thumping innings and 283-run win over West Indies at Headingley on Monday.
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