Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting Photograph: Manan Vatsyayana/AFP
Australia led by 189 runs at the end of the second day of the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba, but again struggled with the bat on a day when 16 wickets fell. The hosts were reduced to 131 for six at stumps having dismissed New [...]

England coach Tony Smith has kept his cards close to his chest ahead of the semi-final. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
New Zealand sprung a double surprise today in Brisbane in the embarrassingly cagey build-up to Saturday’s World Cup semi-final against England. They have switched the Wigan scrum-half Thomas Leuluai to hooker, although the biggest shock was [...]

New Zealand’s Manu Vatuvei scores. Photograph: Greg Wood/Getty Images
Where as last week’s defeat by Australia was embarrassing, in its own way this was every bit as devastating. England led 24-8 on the 27-minute mark after a slick and purposeful opening to the game, but crumbled horribly after half-time on a night that turned into [...]

South Africa players celebrate victory after Ricky Januarie’s try. Photograph: Ross Land/Getty Images
The world champions are back on track, but this win required an individual try out of nothing from Ricky Januarie with five minutes to go while they were down to 14 men. Victor Matfield, stand-in skipper in the absence of John Smit, had [...]

Topsy Ojo and Mike Brown have been fined and reprimanded. Photographs: David Rogers/Getty Images
Topsy Ojo and Mike Brown have been fined and reprimanded after being found guilty of misconduct on England’s recent tour of New Zealand, following a report by Judge Jeff Blackett, the disciplinary officer of the Rugby Football Union. Ojo was fined £500 [...]

Stuart Broad removes Jamie How on his way to figures of 10-4-14-2. Photograph: Tom Shaw/ Getty Images
Early wickets. Now that would be interesting. Here come the players.
Gower, Lloyd and Beefy are all pointing out that it’s a bowler’s wicket and New Zealand could still scramble their way out of this. They’re right, but it will [...]

Kevin Pietersen: switch-hitting genius or dirty cheat? Photograph: Keith Williams/Action Images
So, after more than hours of discussing cheese, we’re ready to rumble. Andy Bull will be here to bring you the New Zealand runchase, but for the time being you’re stuck with me as we see how many runs England can butcher in 29 overs. [...]

The England manager didn’t like the look of the Kiwis’ tactics. Photographer: David Rogers/Getty Images
England have a struggle on their hands if they wish to level their two-Test series with the All Blacks and the task became still harder today. Losing Andrew Sheridan with a lacerated eyelid has deprived the tourists of their biggest forward [...]

Nick Easter, whose New Zealand tour is over following a hand injury. Photograph: Paul Harding/Action Images
England’s options for Saturday’s first Test against New Zealand at Eden Park were complicated yet again yesterday when the Harlequins no 8 Nick Easter was ruled out of the tour with a broken bone in his right hand which will [...]

Can England’s bowlers spark a battling collapse? Photograph: Tom Hevezi/AP
61st over: New Zealand 158-4 (Oram 28 Flynn 10)Actually I was doing Giles something of a disservice there - he does have a cogent point to make. ” I was there on Saturday and the place just lacks atmosphere - it is too comfortable for overseas [...]