Australia have been drawn alongside England and Zimbabwe in Group B of this year’s inaugural Twenty20 World Cup which takes place in South Africa at the end of September.

GRAHAM THORPE maintained his prolific level of performance since making a return to the international stage by delivering a crucial century to keep England on course for a ninth successive victory in the fluctuating second Test against South Africa.

ENGLAND openers Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss produced a record-breaking stand to thwart South Africa’s ambitions in the second Test.

DEFENDING champions Australia demonstrated their ruthless ambition to hang onto their title as they stormed into the World Cup final with a brutal dismissal of Sri Lanka at Port Elizabeth yesterday.

Australia won the toss in the first semi-final of the World Cup and chose to bat against Sri Lanka.