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South Africa took a major step toward a series-levelling victory on Saturday by reducing England to 48 for three wickets after having declared 243 runs ahead on the third day of the fourth Test....

South Africa in sight of victory

South Africa took a major step toward a series-levelling victory on Saturday by reducing England to 48 for three wickets after having declared 243 runs ahead on the third day of the fourth Test. The Proteas resumed on their overnight score of 215/2 with Mark Boucher scoring 95 off 118 balls.

Brief scores: England 180 (Dale Steyn 5/51) & 48/3; South Africa 423/7 decl (AB de Villiers 58,Mark Boucher 95).

Australia pile on runs

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After dismissing Pakistan for 301,Australia extended their lead over the visitors in their second innings at stumps on Day Three,Australia had reached 59 for 1 with Simon Katich batting on 33 and Ricky Ponting on 25. Earlier,Salman Butt made his third Test century and in the company of Shoaib Malik,who made a fifty,gave some stability to Pakistans innings.

Brief scores: Australia 519/8 decl & 59/1 (S Katich batting 33); Pakistan 301 (S Butt 102,S Malik 58,S Katich 3/34,N Hauritz 3/96

ICC to investigate referral system

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will carry out an enquiry into the umpire referral system in the wake of a series of controversial incidents in the South Africa v England Test series. We have received a letter of complaint from the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) and we will launch a formal investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the application of the decision review system (DRS) after completion of the Johannesburg Test match, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement.

GM Maghami in share of lead

w Seven players,including third seed Iranian Grandmaster Ghaem Maghami Ehsan share the lead at the end of fourth round of the Parsvnath International Open Chess in New Delhi. Maghami overcame Indian IM K Rathnakaran in 58 moves on Saturday. Russian GM Dmitry Kryakvin had to spilt points with Vikramaditya Kamble.

Suranjoy defeats Kolte

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Services boxer Suranjoy Singh routed Mumbais Sanjay Kolte 7-2 on the fourth day of the Super Cup Inter Zonal Boxing Championship in Mumbai. In the semi-finals of the light flyweight category,Services boxer Nanao Singh won an intense bout against Amarjit Singh of South Zone Yellow 18-7.

Ivory Coast in quarters

Ivory Coast beat Ghana 3-1 to be the first quarter-finalist at the African Cup of Nations. Ivory Coast,down to 10 men after Emmanuel Eboue was sent off in the 56th minute,have four points from two games in the tapered Group B. Gervinho,Siaka Tiene and Didier Drogba scored for Ivory Coast,and Asamoah Gyan replied for Ghana. Ghana will meet Burkina Faso on Tuesday in a winner-takes-all match.

Chelsea win 7-2 to stay top

Chelsea stormed to a 7-2 victory over Sunderland to remain a point clear at the top of the Premier League as champions Manchester United beat Burnley 3-0. But it was a frustrating day for Liverpool,who conceded a 90th-minute equaliser to draw 1-1 at Stoke,and Tottenham,who were held 0-0 by Hull.

Arenas pleads guilty

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas pleaded guilty on Friday to one count of carrying a pistol without a licence in the District of Columbia. Arenass plea was part of a plea agreement; he could have faced four charges instead of one. Arenas is scheduled to be sentenced March 26,and he will remain free while he awaits sentencing.