AUSTRALIA captain Ricky Ponting is confident his team will not repeat their mistakes of four years ago when they begin their defence of the Ashes today.

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.

KEVIN PIETERSEN paid tribute to Steve Harmison and James Anderson after England confirmed their ascendancy on day two of the final Test against South Africa at The Oval yesterday.

AUSTRALIA ruthlessly swept aside their closest challengers on the international stage to march relentlessly towards a fourth successive World Cup final.

BOB WOOLMER’S family and friends attended a memorial service yesterday near the Pakistan cricket coach’s home in South Africa.

Jacques Kallis survived two chances to score his 61st one-day international half-century and steer South Africa to a seven-wicket win over Ireland in their World Cup Super Eight match at Providence Stadium in Guyana.

IRELAND’S cricketers fought bravely but they were soundly beaten by South Africa in their World Cup Super Eight match at Providence Stadium, Guyana yesterday.

IRELAND coach Adrian Birrell believes his side have not been given the credit they deserve for their World Cup exploits and is plotting a Super-Eight upset against South Africa today.

Ireland captain Trent Johnston has admitted his side need to find the killer touch in the Caribbean after giving world number ones South Africa a scare.

Ireland captain Trent Johnston believes his side have given their confidence a huge boost after coming close to one of the biggest ever upsets in international cricket.