The Caisse d'Epargne team's Spanish rider captured a dramatic seventh stage as David Millar drops to seventh overall but result is overshadowed by a positive drugs test.

The nervous 190s got the better of Ian Bell as the bastman fell one run short of a maiden double century on another day of English dominance at Lord's.

Spain's Manuel Beltran has tested positive for EPO at the Tour de France and has been withdrawn from the race by his Liquigas team.

The former Manchester United No 2 takes over from Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari who stepped down following Euro 2008 after more than five years in charge of the national side to join Chelsea.

Centuries from Anthony McGrath and Jacques Rudolph ensured Yorkshire were in control after the first day's play in their LV County Championship Division One match with Kent at Canterbury.

Andrew Flintoff had little chance to stake a claim for a recall to England's Test side after a quiet day at the Rose Bowl for Lancashire against Hampshire in Division One of the LV County Chanpionship.

Northamptonshire nudged into a first innings lead during the 16 minutes play that were possible on the second day of their LV County Championship Division Two match against Worcestershire.

Andrew Flintoff was overshadowed by Lancashire team-mates Glen Chapple and Sajid Mahmood as Hampshire slipped to 248 for nine on the first morning of their LV County Championship clash.

Surrey's Mark Ramprakash will resume his quest for his 100th first-class hundred on 19 not out after a rain-interrupted first day against Nottinghamshire left the visitors on 59 for two at Trent Bridge.

Chris Rogers marked his return to LV County Championship action by scoring a half-century to rescue Derbyshire on a rain-interrupted first day against Leicestershire.

Hot on the heels of the new Southern Sandstone guidebook, the Climbers' Club guidebook to Lundy is now available. Richard Wheeldon from Cordee writes,"Just thought you'd all like to know,...

Kevin Pietersen shrugged aside the emotions surrounding his maiden Test century against South Africa to hail the support provided by the Lord's crowd in the opening npower Test.

Gloucestershire have begun to make changes ahead of former coach John Bracewell's return as director of cricket next season by announcing four players, including Mark Hardinges, will leave.

Ian Bell recorded his eighth Test century as he and Kevin Pietersen strengthened England's hold over South Africa in the first npower Test.

Up-and-coming batsman Shaun Marsh has returned to Australia satisfied with his performances during the recent successful tour of West Indies.

Rugby Borough Council services are likely to be disrupted next week if two days of strike action goes ahead on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th July.

Torrential rain looks set to bring a premature end to England's opening game of the summer. With the hosts 156 for four from 42.1 overs thanks to 60 not out from Charlotte Edwards, play was halted at Loughborough when the

Essex Eagles will face Kent Spitfires in the first Twenty20 Cup semi-final on finals day at the Rose Bowl. Middlesex Crusaders are waiting to discover who they will meet in the last four.

Despite the weather breaking down somewhat into heavy showers typical of July now, some folk have managed to get out bouldering, with some cool NE winds in May and June providing better conditions...

Pacemen David Wigley and David Lucas shared eight wickets as Northamptonshire dismissed Worcestershire for 146 in their LV County Championship Division Two match at New Road.