The Sports Funnel

Bangladesh's first-class competition, the National Cricket League, has been rescheduled and will commence on January 13 due to unavoidable circumstances, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has stated

Elliot Worsell, UFC - The nickname 'Semtex' implies that the threat of an opponent isn't the only thing that can blow up in the face of Paul Daley on fight night. Even when presented with an opponent more than capable of shattering his dreams, Daley refuses to recognise or concern himself with the danger. Blessed with an abundance of natural ability and Octagon-based tools, Daley only fears the prospect of his own car not starting.

Stuart Broad has defended his on-field behaviour after recent criticism since the start of the series against South Africa

Mashrafe Mortaza will miss the tri-series in Bangladesh starting in January, despite being named in the preliminary squad for the tournament and picked as first choice for captain

Wasps bolster their squad with the signing of Samoa international prop Sakaria Taulafo on deal until 2011.

England batsman Claire Taylor will be awarded an MBE next year, after she was named in the New Year Honours List

Wollongong gained more ground on NBL leaders Perth and Gold Coast with a narrow 93-88 home win over the 36ers on Thursday night.

Batting went into fifth gear at the Aorangi Oval in Timaru as Canterbury set a New Zealand domestic record by piling on 410 for 5, boosted by Rob Nicol's century

For the first time in A-League history the New Year's Eve clash did not result in a draw, as Wellington handed Central Coast a 2-0 defeat at Gosford, their fifth straight loss.

Mashrafe Mortaza will miss the tri-series in Bangladesh starting in January, despite being named in the preliminary squad for the tournament and picked as first choice for captain

Australia coach Tim Nielsen has warned his side Pakistan is set to lift for Sunday's second Test at the SCG after Ricky Ponting's men mauled the tourists with a 170-run win in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Mohammad Yousuf has issued a stark warning to Pakistan cricket of the impending dangers of too much Twenty20 cricket

Having picked up his first five-wicket haul for Australia, Nathan Hauritz has declared his intentions to make the spinner's spot his own for a long time to come.

It was Hauritz's response to the aggressive batting of the Pakistanis which has impressed the Australian coach

Two True has survived a protest to win the 2009 Sydney to Hobart on handicap, the first time in nine years a South Australian yacht has won the coveted overall prize.

James Sutherland, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, has plans to create a window for the domestic Big Bash Twenty20 tournament, so that it does not clash with the international home season.

A fighting fit Lleyton Hewitt will attempt to cause "serious damage" at the 2010 Australian Open as he embarks on a campaign to snare his third grand slam title.

A round-up of the eleventh round of matches in Tier A of Sri Lanka's Premier League Tournament

Pakistan skipper Mohammed Yousuf says Younus Khan needs to arrive in Sydney soon to have any chance of playing in Sunday's second Test against Australia.

Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - Sure, Gilbert Yvel is 33 years old and a 12 year veteran of pro mixed martial arts, but the Holland native's old school cred goes even further than that.

Cricket Australia (CA) says the successful launch of this summer's domestic Twenty20 competition lends strong support to a local tournament that rivals the lucrative Indian Premier League.

Gold Coast United may be facing a battle to keep hold of star striker Shane Smeltz with a number of overseas clubs targeting the New Zealand hitman in the January transfer window.

Tasmania failed to capitalise on a heavy-hitting start by Tim Paine, going down by 31 runs in its Twenty20 Big Bash contest with New South Wales at Bellerive Oval on Tuesday night.

North Queensland has signed defenders John Tambouras and Matt Smith for another two A-League seasons.

Mike Russell, UFC - Maybe it's because he's not a flamboyant fighter who reverts to smack talk to earn himself press or maybe it's because he hasn't been christened with a sinister sounding nickname like Pitbull or The Axe Murderer; whatever the reason might be, Jake Ellenberger is sick of being a mixed martial artist on the cusp of being a household name. If everything goes according to his plans, all of that will soon change and the 24-year-old Nebraska native will go from fighter on the fringe to fighter in the title contention fray of the UFC's welterweight class in 2010.

Socceroo Craig Moore is poised to leave Brisbane Roar and take up an offer with Scottish Premier League side St Johnstone.

Jana Rawlinson says she is just happy to be on the track despite what appeared to be a disappointing return to competition at the Devonport Carnival in Tasmania.

Golfer Catriona Matthew describes being appointed MBE in the New Year Honours List as "the icing on the cake" following a memorable 2009.

Former England star on why 'Sir Geech' is the greatest Lion

Former St Helens star Steve Prescott becomes an MBE in the New Year Honours list in recognition of his services to rugby league and charity.

British and Irish Lions legend Ian McGeechan is knighted in the 2010 New Year Honours List, with Jenson Button and Beth Tweddle among the other sports stars to be recognised.

David Beckham almost cried when his AC Milan side were drawn against former club Manchester United in the Champions League last 16, the England midfielder said on Wednesday.

Mitchell Johnson has done some wonderful things this year but his captain Ricky Ponting insists he has never bowled better than during this week's win over Pakistan in Melbourne

Australia captain Ricky Ponting is certain his team is heading for another period of dominance at Test match level.

Manchester United closed the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to two points with a 5-0 rout of Wigan, while Arsenal are also firmly in the title race after thrashing Portsmouth 4-1 on Thursday morning.