The Champions Trophy sparked into life with a thrilling clash between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, a tussle eventually won by the thrashing blade of Abdul Razzaq to seal a victory for Pakistan spirit and unity

Tharanga ensured a perfect start for the Sri Lankans in a game that could so easily have been a banana skin after several months without competitive cricket.

An investigation in to South Africa's withdrawal from Sri Lanka

Charlie Austin looks at Sri Lanka's recent past and notices a definite paradigm shift for the better

Sri Lanka's recent past reflects a paradigm shift for the better

The only predictable thing about the nerve-racking final day was its unpredictability. The Test match had ebbed and flowed throughout, refusing to reveal its winner until Lasith Malinga,the last man in, stroked an on-drive and scampered a single victory

A fascinating Test match is now set up for a nail-biting finale

South Africa may not yet be home and dry, but after a classic day of Test cricket - tightly-fought, full of tension, with a dollop of controversy for good measure

Sri Lanka's record-breaking heroics at the Sinhalese Sports Club seemed a galaxy away at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium on Saturday.

Another match, another five-wicket haul. Muttiah Muralitharan's prolific form with the ball continued at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium, his home turf.

Charlie Austin hails Muttiah Muralitharan, who rolled up his sleeves at the SSC for some good, old fashioned, blue collar labour

Sri Lanka will be desperate for early success in the morning because, as Pakistan showed in April when they batted out the final day here, South Africa's self-belief will grow quickly if they reach lunch without major damage

Jayawardene produced a flawless exhibition in batsmanship that possessed an almost unreal quality.

Television, cricket's big boss, slumped to newfound depths of cruelty at the close of the second day, forcing Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene into an immediate interview after a never-ending eight-hour partnership in stifling temperatures

Ashwell Prince's first day at the helm could not have been worse: he failed with the bat, South Africa were bundled out for a record low and then his bowlers, after being teased by the success of a double-strike with the new ball, where flayed to all corn

Sri Lanka were not only competitive during their tour of England, they finished the dominant team, their confidence at sky-high after what proved to be a voyage of self-discovery

Middle order batsman Neil McKenzie and vice-captain Mark Boucher guided South Africa to a tense and acrimonious four-wicket win against Sri Lanka in the second Test to win the series 2-0 at SuperSport Park on Tuesday.

Charlie Austin explains why Sri Lanka failed to capitalise on their World Cup triumph in 1996 and face an uncertain future

Charlie Austin explains why Sri Lanka failed to capitalise on their World Cup triumph in 1996 and face an uncertain future