South Africa news

Kallis reopens death penalty debate

Jan 3, 2013: Jacques Kallis has called for a debate on the restoration of the death penalty in South Africa after the murder of a former first-class cricketer with strong links to the team.

South Africa v NZ, 1st Test, Cape Town, 2nd day

New Zealand arrive a day late

Jan 3, 2013: The chasm between the two sides is still as wide as it is deep and all New Zealand have done is cushion the blow when they hit the bottom

South Africa v New Zealand, 1st Test, Cape Town, 2nd day

Elgar's mixed day

Jan 3, 2013: ESPNcricinfo presents the plays of the day as New Zealand put up something of a fight on the second day at Newlands

India v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Kolkata

Dhoni rues top-order failure

Jan 3, 2013: MS Dhoni, the India captain, rued the failure of his batsmen after the bowlers had brought India back into the match

Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars, BBL, Brisbane

All-round Hopes takes Heat to victory

Jan 3, 2013: Brisbane Heat clinched a 24-run win over Melbourne Stars at the Gabba following a collective effort from their batsmen who helped them post 171

Women's World Cup 2013

Kyshona Knight joins twin in World Cup squad

Jan 3, 2013: Kyshona Knight is the only new name in West Indies' 15-member squad of the upcoming Women's World Cup in Mumbai

Australia v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, Sydney, 1st day

Thirimanne shows the future is not bleak

Jan 3, 2013: Not many of the 26,000 at the SCG knew Lahiru Thirimanne upon his arrival at the crease, yet they rose to give him a warm ovation when he departed short of the three-figure score

South Africa v New Zealand, 1st Test, Cape Town, 2nd day

Brownlie fights but South Africa on top

Jan 3, 2013: New Zealand will grasp any consolation after suffering the indignity of being bundled out for 45 in their first innings and avoiding defeat in two days will do for a start

1st ODI, Chennai

India v Pakistan - turning points

Jan 3, 2013: Turning points from the first ODI between India and Pakistan, played in Chennai, on December 30

2nd T20, Ahmedabad

India v Pakistan - turning points

Jan 3, 2013: Turning points from the second T20 International between India and Pakistan played in Ahmedabad on December 28

Australia v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, Sydney, 1st day

Clarke, Johnson brought back to earth

Jan 3, 2013: Apart from the admirably persistent Jackson Bird, Australia's first Test match day of 2013 was far from auspicious

1st T20, Bangalore

India v Pakistan - turning points

Jan 3, 2013: Turning points from the first T20 international between India and Pakistan played in Bangalore on December 25.

Second T20, Mumbai

India v England - turning points

Jan 3, 2013: Turning points from the second T20 between India and England, played in Mumbai, on December 22

1st T20I, Pune

India v England - turning points

Jan 3, 2013: Turning points from the first T20 between India and England played at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium, Pune on December 20.

HRV Cup 2012-13

Canterbury down Central Districts twice in three days

Jan 3, 2013: Canterbury recorded their second straight win in Nelson, where their score of 185 proved to be just out of reach for Central Districts

Australia v Sri Lanka, 3rd Test, Sydney, 1st day

A tribute to Tony Greig

Jan 3, 2013: Plays of the Day from the first day of the third Test between Australia and Sri Lanka in Sydney

India v Pakistan ODI bowlers

Jan 3, 2013:

India v Pakistan, 2nd ODI, Kolkata

Pakistan take series as India batting fails again

Jan 3, 2013: Despite the bowlers taking ten wickets for 109 to keep Pakistan to 250, India crumbled without any fight, losing their top five batsmen before they had reached 100

The week on Twitter

'Never fly a toy helicopter into a wig'

Jan 3, 2013: Essential New Year wisdom in our Twitter round-up this week

The year-end essay 1

South Africa's ascent, India's tailspin

Jan 3, 2013: The current Test No. 1 side has something other teams from the country have lacked: an air of invincibility and ruthlessness