Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, called for a vast improvement from his team after they were outplayed by India in the first Commonwealth Bank Series final in Sydney yesterday.

India cruised to a six-wicket win on the back of a brilliant unbeaten century by Sachin Tendulkar and can take the series 2-0 if they win in Brisbane tomorrow. Tendulkar's masterly 117 not out - his 42nd one-day hundred but first in Australia - came off 120 balls. He was ably supported by 20-year-old Rohit Sharma, who made 66 off 87 balls as India reached their target of 240 inside 46 overs.

India won the Under-19 World Cup with a 12-run victory over South Africa in a rain-hit final in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. South Africa, set a revised target of 116 in 25 overs after a two-hour interruption, were restricted to 103 for eight by the tigerish India bowlers.

Bangladesh are facing an innings defeat after being put to the sword by South Africa's fast bowlers, Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini, on the third day of the second Test in Chittagong. They were bowled out for 259 in response to South Africa's 583 for seven and, following on, finished the day at 54 for five after Steyn's burst of three wickets for four runs.