Newlands, Capetown, South Africa (GenevaLunch) - The English bowlers made a dramatic start to the second day of the third Test against South Africa when the last four South African wickets fell in16 balls. Graham Onions took the most important wicket when he dismissed Jacques Kallis for 108 with his first ball. James Anderson took the next three to end with five for 63. South Africa ended on 291.
The South African bowlers quickly struck back, dismissing Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen in the opening session.
Pakistan ended the second day of the Melbourne Test well on top. After dismissing Australia for 127 they ended on 331 for nine.
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South Africa (GenevaLunch) – The English batsmen put on a rare display as they beat South Africa in the ICC Champions Trophy. Andrew Strauss won the toss and decided to bat but lost the opening batsmen quickly. Owais Shah (98) and Paul Collingwood (82) then gradually took control and Eoin Morgan added 67 in just 34 balls. England reached an impressive 323 for 8: the second highest score in the tournament’s history.
The Oval, London (GenevaLunch) – England managed to avoid their tendency of seizing defeat from the jaws of victory by beating Australia by 197 runs in the deciding Test at the Oval to win the Ashes.
The Oval, London (GenevaLunch) - England are the firm favourites to win the final Test and regain the Ashes. They batted steadily, with the innings held together by South African-born captain Andrew Strauss and South African-born debut batsman Jonathan Trott, filling in for the injured South African born Kevin Pietersen.
The Oval, London, England (GenevaLunch) – The Ashes reaches its climax this weekend with the series balanced at 1-1 going into the final Test at the Oval. The Australian selection is unchanged from the team that crushed England at Headingley. England replaced out of form batsman Ravi Bopara with Trott. Fast bowler Steve Harmison is fortunate to have been chosen ahead of Graham Onions.
Andrew Strauss won the toss and chose to bat on what looked like a good pitch but England soon lost opener Alistair Cook.
Headingley, Leeds, England (GenevaLunch) – England nearly achieved the unusual feat of losing a Test match in two days as they were comprehensively outplayed by Australia. The Aussies bowled out England for 102 and then scored 445 themselves, with Marcus North getting 110 runs. The England openers reached 58 before the loss of Andrew Strauss but then managed to fold to 78 for 5, with Ravi Bopara falling first ball, Ian Bell falling for three and Paul Collingwood for four.
Edgebaston, Birmingham, UK (GenevaLunch) – England fought their way past the Australian total thanks to the attacking batting of Andrew Flintoff, Matt Prior and Stuart Broad. The Test has been curtailed by rain, which cost most of the first day and all of the third but England will be hoping that the ball swings today and helps the bowlers to dispose of the final Australian resistance.
London, England (GenevaLunch) – England are in a dominant position after three days of the second test at Lords: the first test ended in a draw. They lead by 515 runs with two days to play. The Australian tail enders held up the English attack but fell just in time for England captain Andrew Strauss to have the chance to enforce the follow-on. However he prefered to bat again, possibly influenced by the easy batting conditions, the fitness of Andrew Flintoff or simple cowardice.
London, England and Beijing, China (GenevaLunch) – England made a great start to the second test, winning the toss and putting on 196 runs before the first wicket fell. Australia then fought back and destroyed the English middle order, only captain Andrew Strauss maintaining resistance with an unbeaten 161 runs. England ended on 364-6, a respectable score but nowhere near what could have been achieved. Details, Guardian
Meanwhile Beijing witnessed a rather different game of cricket between expats and refugees, reports UNHCR in Geneva, the UN refugee organization.
Bristol, UK (GenevaLunch) – England coasted to a comfortable six wicket victory over the West Indies in the second one day international in Bristol. The first was rained off.
