AUSTRALIA has scored a morale-boosting 103-run win over South Africa, with just 10 balls to spare in a thrilling finish to the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Inspirational South African skipper Graeme Smith batted with a broken hand in a courageous but ultimately failed attempt to save the match. Smith received a standing ovation when he took the field at nine wickets down with 8.2 overs of play remaining.

Kevin Pietersen has resigned the England captaincy following a well-publicised rift with coach Peter Moores, Sky Sports News has reported this morning. News of discord between captain and coach began to surface at the turn of the year with Pietersen apparently unhappy with the way Moores was running the side and he was reportedly not pleased with the way the ECB had not dealt with the rift between himself and his coach.

Ramesh Powar and Dhawal Kulkarni shared the five remaining Saurashtra wickets to clinch Mumbai's place in the final of the Ranji Trophy on the basis of a first-innings lead. Kulkarni took two wickets in an over early in the day but Kamlesh Makvana and Rakesh Dhurv kept Saurashtra's slim chances alive with a battling partnership. Offspinner Powar polished off the tail to ensure Saurashtra's campaign ended in the semi-finals for the second season in a row.

Ross Taylor and Daniel Flynn shared an unbroken 89-run partnership to lead New Zealand to a seven-wicket win over the West Indies in the third limited overs cricket international on Wednesday. Daniel Vettori took four wickets for just 20 runs as New Zealand dismissed the West Indies for 128 in 41.4 overs, setting up a win which leveled the five match series 1-1 after the tourists' five-wicket victory in the second match on Saturday. The first match was abandoned because of rain.

England cricket has been hit with yet another crisis after Kevin Pietersen and Peter Moores on Wednesday resigned as captain and coach, respectively. 'Sky News' said Pietersen decided to step down after his relationship with Moores had reached the breaking point. "...it now appears Pietersen's relationship with Moores has reached breaking point, prompting him to stand down as captain," the report said. Other media reports said Moores too had put in his papers after last night's teleconference of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Skipper Graeme Smith came out to bat with a broken finger but could not save the match for South Africa as Australia won by 103 runs in the third and final cricket Test in Sydney on Wednesday to prevent a series white-wash and retain the top spot in ICC rankings. Chasing an improbable 376 for victory, the South Africans, who were 62 for one overnight, folded up for 272 just 10 balls before the scheduled close of play on the final day. However Proteas clinched the winner's trophy after triumphs in the first two matches in Perth and Melbourne.

Injured Australian pace spearhead Brett Lee has blamed himself for the current breakdown, saying he ended up being his own enemy by bowling long spells despite having no strength to carry on. Lee bowled a massive 4500 deliveries, over 580 overs, in the year gone by. The workload not just took a toll on his form but also left him down with an ankle injury, which required a surgery -- fourth of his career.

Early wickets have put Australia in a commanding position against South Africa on the final day of the third and final Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Wednesday. Peter Siddle struck after tea to dismiss Paul Harris as South Africa, chasing 376 to win, were reduced to 202-8. The visitors who have already clinched the three-match series 2-0, seem to be missing their inspiring captain Graeme Smith who is down with an injury to his hand.

Early wickets have put Australia in a commanding position against South Africa on the final day of the third and final Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Wednesday. Peter Siddle struck after tea to dismiss Paul Harris as South Africa, chasing 376 to win, were reduced to 202-8. The visitors who have already clinched the three-match series 2-0, seem to be missing their inspiring captain Graeme Smith who is down with an injury to his hand.

The West Indies were bowled out for 128 in 41.4 overs by New Zealand in the third One Day International at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. After being asked to bat, the West Indies lost three crucial wickets early on and never recovered from being 35 for three after 10 overs. Kyle Mills bowled particularly well for New Zealand picking up Xavier MArshall (0) and Chris Gayle (18) while Tim Southee accounted for Ramanesh Sarwan (5) in bowler friendly conditions.