Sport round-up: India tighten grip

Hosts close to victory over Sri Lanka in the third Test in Mumbai despite an unbeaten century from Kumar Sangakkara

Mystery as English umpire walks out on Test

Mark Benson withdraws from the second Test match between Australia and the West Indies as the ICC blames ill health

Davies called up to England squad

The Durham quick bowler has been added to the England Test squad as cover for Ryan Sidebottom and James Anderson

Washout gives England one-day series win

Andrew Strauss's side have become only second side to win a one-day series in South Africa after last match was abandoned

Sports Watch: Is Vaughan the new Jackson Pollock?

Rick Broadbent delivers the lowdown on this week's heroes and villains of the sporting world

Strauss says England would welcome Flintoff

Captain dismisses suggestion by Graeme Smith that his life is made easier by the absence of ‘big names’ from his side

Why the Spirit of Cricket is so precious

Much argued-over concept has relevance in the context of a long and rich history that informs the game

Sehwag powers towards Lara's Test record

India batsman in destructive mood as he dismantled the Sri Lanka bowling to put Test best of 400 not out under threat

Rain threatens Strauss's victory hopes

England captain believes that his side will complete a series win over South Africa, even if the rain relents in Durban

Madras ban on beach games is just not cricket

To make Marina Beach, which has a reputation for producing top players, more attractive to tourists, officials ban cricket

Dilshan century keeps Sri Lanka in the hunt

Third and final Test in Mumbai is evenly poised after Harbhajan Singh takes four wickets on a pitch assisting bowlers

My father: enigmatic wordsmith of many parts

Alan Gibson’s son captures the essence of a man whose writing on the county game brought it to life in a unique way

Prior applauds England's honest toil

Wicket-keeper says team are under no illusions that they are a work in progress even if they remain one game away from landmark

The true significance of Nixon’s resignation

A series of vignettes give a taste of the joyful way that the county circuit’s most colourful chronicler operated

The dash of Denning brings Somerset victory

A new book celebrates the work of Alan Gibson, who wrote for The Times for 20 years from 1967. Here is a typical report

Wright agrees three-year deal with Sussex

The England all-rounder has signed a new contract which will keep him at Hove until the end of the 2012 season

South Africa opt for new faces for first Test

Alviro Petersen and Wayne Parnell are among four uncapped players included in the squad for the first Test against England