Ian Bell’s third hundred in successive Ashes Tests underpinned England’s partial recovery from their false start on an eventful first day at Lord’s.

Pace man Steven Finn was delighted to play a key role in England’s fightback against Australia on a frenetic opening day of the Ashes series.

AN Irishman showing a British prince how to play Australian Rules, you couldn’t make it up.

England completed the formalities of wrapping up a first successful Ashes tour of Australia in 24 years before lunch on the fourth day of the fourth Test in Melbourne, winning by an innings and 157 runs to take a 2-1 lead in the series.

CAPTAIN Ricky Ponting rated Australia’s 36-run win over Pakistan in the second Test at the SCG among the most satisfying of his career.

IAN BELL admitted he was surprised by the way the Brit Oval pitch played on the opening day of the decisive fifth npower Ashes Test yesterday.

MATT PRIOR insisted England had no excuses for their Headingley capitulation despite a chaotic start to the fourth Ashes Test.

ENGLAND salvaged a dramatic draw in Cardiff as the first npower Ashes Test was embroiled in controversy during a tense finale.

Two wickets in four deliveries from Mitchell Johnson helped Australia take control of the first Test against South Africa, with the hosts collapsing to 158 for eight at lunch on day three – still 109 runs short of the follow-on.

Australia salvaged a consolation win against South Africa after dismissing the tourists for 272 with only 10 balls remaining on the fifth day to clinch a 103-run victory in the third Test at the SCG.