South Africa in Australia

Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden clocked up a double-century opening stand on the first day to become statistically their country's greatest opening batting pair.

But the tourists rallied in the final session, capturing five wickets for 93 runs to leave the home side on 308-5 at the close of play.
Match report | Images | Australian 1st innings

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South African selector Graeme Pollock has hit out at the national board for over-ruling team selection for the third Test against Australia.

On the eve of the match, United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) president Percy Sonn ordered the selectors to include coloured player Justin Ontong at the expense of Jacques Rudolph.

Rudolph's selection would have meant a reshuffle of South Africa's top batting order, but Ontong replaced Klusener as a like-for-like lower order all-rounder, batting at six.

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Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden have become statistically Australian cricket's greatest opening batting partnership.

The two recorded their fourth double-century stand with a 219-run partnership against South Africa on the first day of the third Test.

The two left handers passed 1,000 runs in their 10th innings together and now have 1,125 runs at an average of 112.50.

England's tour of India

Fast bowler Steve Harmison has been tipped for a place in the England squad to tour New Zealand, which will be announced on Thursday.

The Durham paceman stood out during the England Academy's winter training in Adelaide and took seven wickets during the victory over their Australian counterparts.

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English cricket chief Tim Lamb has insisted that England's Indian tour is on.

The England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive was speaking as tensions continue between India and Pakistan.

But Lamb said the the one-day leg of the England tour to India is not under threat, despite the prospect of military action in the region.

Miscellaneous

Pakistan have accepted an invitation to play Australia in an indoor one-day series in Australia in June.

Pakistan have played just one Test and five one-day internationals since July after proposed series with India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka were postponed because of security concerns, while West Indies announced that they are not prepared to tour the country for three Tests and three one-day internationals in February and March for the same reason

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The latest match-fixing inquiry commission in Pakistan has asked for an extension of one month from the government to wind up its probe and submit its report.

The commission, headed by Justice Karamat Bhandari of the Lahore High Court, has investigating allegations that Pakistan played fixed matches against Bangladesh and India in the last World Cup in England.

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England selectors will announce their tour party for the second leg of their winter schedule on Thursday morning.

Chairman David Graveney will announce the party to contest a three-Test series in New Zealand having spent a fortnight considering their options since the squad returned from India.

Domestic cricket

Saurashtra were able to restore their pride with stubborn resistance from the overnight batsmen, Altaf Merchant and Neeraj Odedra, who batted superbly in an enterprising and undefeated third-wicket partnership of 234 runs. The match ended in a tame draw with Maharashtra taking the first innings honours.

Saurashtra (1st Innings): 331.
Maharashtra (1st Innings): 507.
Saurashtra (2nd Innings) 339/2 (Altaf Merchant n.o. 111, Neeraj Odedra n.o. 129).

England Women in India

Skipper Clare Connor has urged her players to stay calm as the England women's cricket team prepare to set off on a three and a half week tour to India.

The trip is going ahead despite the current tension between India and Pakistan and the military build-up on the border between the two countries.

England's 14-strong squad will play five one-day internationals and one Test match during the tour, their first to the sub-continent since 1995.

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