DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) The ability of New Zealand's top-order batsmen to overcome a recent history of poor starts may decide a closely contested three-test cricket series against Pakistan beginning here Tuesday.

The weakness of the New Zealand top order, prompting revolving door selection policies, has seen the Kiwis drop to seventh on world test rankings - one place below Pakistan - and will remain the biggest issue for the hosts in the coming series. (MORE)

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) Paul Collingwood hit an unbeaten hundred after taking two wickets Sunday to lead England to a seven-wicket win over South Africa in the second one-day international.

Collingwood took 2-24 from six overs to help restrict South Africa to 250-9. He then made 105 off 110 balls and put on 162 with Jonathan Trott, who hit 87, to help England reach 252-3 with four overs to spare at SuperSport Park. (MORE)

AHMEDABAD, India (AP) Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his 20th year in test cricket with a patient unbeaten century Friday and guided India to a draw against Sri Lanka in the first test.

India wiped out a huge first-innings deficit of 334 runs on the fifth and final day to finish at 412-4 in its second innings with Tendulkar (100 not out) scoring his 43rd test century. (MORE)

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand (AP) New Zealand opener Tim McIntosh batted himself into form for next week's first test against Pakistan with an unbeaten century on the final day of a three-day match between the tourists and a New Zealand Invitation XI on Friday.

The left-handed McIntosh scored 131 not out as the invitation side, which had trailed Pakistan by 52 runs on the first innings, reached 231 for two in its second innings before stumps were drawn with no result in prospect. (MORE)

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) The first of South Africa's five one-day internationals against England was abandoned Friday because of heavy rain without a ball being bowled.

The downpour started Thursday and was still in progress at Wanderers when the match was abandoned at 5 p.m. local time (1500 GMT). (MORE)

AHMEDABAD, India (AP) Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene and Prasanna Jayawardene broke a 72-year-old world record Thursday as India conceded a massive first-innings lead in the first cricket test.

Sri Lanka declared its first innings at 760-7 - thanks to a 351-run sixth-wicket stand between the Jayawardenes - which earned visitors 334-run lead. It was the highest innings total ever scored in India in a test innings. (MORE)