South Africa have strengthened their position in second place in the Reliance Mobile Test Championship after beating England 2-1, but Kevin Pietersen's side have slipped one place to fifth as a result of their defeat and Sri Lanka's 2-1 series win over India, which was completed with an eight-wicket victory in Colombo yesterday.

Sri Lanka won their first series against India since 2001 mainly because of superior spin bowling. Muttiah Muralitharan took 21 wickets, but was outshone by Ajantha Mendis, the mystery spinner, who bowls off breaks and leg breaks. Mendis took 26 wickets at an average of 18 runs, beating the 62-year-old record of Alec Bedser, of England, for wickets in a debut three-Test series.

India scored 268 in their second innings yesterday, setting Sri Lanka 122 to win and, although the home side were 22 for two, they did not lose another wicket. Sri Lanka, who have won 13 of their past 16 series at home, are one point behind India, in third, in the league table, but India will move to second if they beat Australia and England at home this winter.

England's women have won their one-day series with South Africa with two matches to spare after winning a low-scoring third international at Shenley by 77 runs. England were dismissed for 185 in 47.3 overs, with Lydia Greenway making 61 not out, but South Africa could make only 108 in reply. Holly Colvin, with three for 20, and Laura Marsh, who took four for 19, were the main wicket-takers.

Rikki Clarke has resigned as Derbyshire captain “for the sake of the team”. The 26-year-old former England all-rounder left Surrey at the end of last season, but his form for Derbyshire has suffered this year, with only 296 runs at 21 in the LV County Championship, and he was dropped last month.

John Morris, Derbyshire's head of cricket, said: “It is a brave decision by Rikki and he deserves respect for putting the team ahead of his personal ambitions.” Chris Rogers will take over as captain for the rest of the year.