Sri Lanka claim series

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka survived early blows to clinch the series against an injury-ridden India with a comfortable eight-wicket victory on the penultimate day of the third and final Test on Monday. The hosts lost Michael Vandort and Kumar Sangakkara in the opening seven overs before reaching a 122-run target, thanks to Malinda Warnapura (54 not out) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (50 not out). Sri Lanka had won the opening Test and India the second. India, trailing by 147 runs, were bowled out for 268 in their second innings despite gutsy half-centuries from Rahul Dravid (68) and Venkatsai Laxman (61 not out). — AFP

England beat Proteas

LONDON: A century opening partnership between Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook set England on the way to a six-wicket win on the fifth day of the fourth and final Test against South Africa at the Oval on Monday. Strauss (58) and Cook (67) put on 123 to take England a long way towards their target of 197. Four wickets fell cheaply but there was never any real doubt that Kevin Pietersen’s first match as captain would end with a win, although South Africa took the series 2-1. — AFP