Umpire defends decision to walk out on Test match

Mark Benson refutes claims he resigned from ICC's elite panel of umpires and says he withdrew from Test due to ill health

Anderson out of England tour match

Knee injury rules fast bowler out of match against South African Airways XI, but it is hoped he will return for first Test next Wednesday

Benson's allies insist that umpire is no quitter

ICC says Mark Benson withdrew from second Test between Australia and West Indies for health reasons

Pietersen racing to get up to speed on tour

England batsman admits he needs more time in the middle to rebuild his confidence before facing South Africa’s pace attack

Sport in brief: free-to-air Ashes get backing

Culture Secretary gives provisional agreement to protect series; European Tour expands; Junior WItter’s injury blow

Umpires fear they will become irrelevant

Referral system has so far undermined the men in the middle rather then help them make the correct decisions, says John Westerby

England in difficulty as Anderson struggles

Andy Flower has only four fully fit bowlers in his team with the first Test against South Africa fast approaching

Umpire exits after decision is overturned

Potential crisis looms over controversial umpire decision referral system after Mark Benson withdraws from Test match

Wisdom of Gooch lights up dour East London

In the latest installment of his tour diary from South Africa, Richard Hobson is enthralled by the anecdotes of the former England captain

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

Strauss demands storming form in Test series

After rain at the Sahara Stadium gives England a one-day series win over South Africa, the captain sets a bigger goal

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