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.

NEITHER Scotland nor the rain could prevent Ireland winning the European Championship and retaining their crown at Clontarf yesterday after Kyle McCallan had produced one of the great spells of one-day bowling.

SHANE WARNE savoured every second of his final confrontation with England to deliver one of his best all-round displays and put Australia on the brink of an Ashes whitewash.

Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne has been found not guilty of dissent during the third Test with the West Indies in Adelaide.

SOUTH London’s murky weather conditions made another telling contribution towards ending England’s long wait for Ashes success, inching the hosts towards their historic prize in the deciding Oval Test yesterday.