Strauss ready to rebuild England
Andrew Strauss insists he has the backing of predecessor Kevin Pietersen as he takes over the England captaincy.

Murray win sets up Federer clash
Britain's Andy Murray will face Roger Federer in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open after a 6-4 6-2 win over Sergiy Stakhovsky.

Man City fail in Santa Cruz bid
Blackburn reject a bid in excess of £12m from Manchester City for striker Roque Santa Cruz.

FROM BBC NEWS >>
Ronaldo escapes unhurt from crash
Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo writes off his Ferrari in a crash near Manchester Airport.

New Donington gets approval
Plans for a £100m revamp of Donington Park, the new home of the British Grand Prix from 2010, are approved.

Fresh inquiry into Tevez affair
The Premier League and the Football Association will launch a fresh inquiry into the conduct of West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair.

Etherington completes Stoke move
Stoke City sign winger Matthew Etherington from West Ham United for a fee of £2m.

O'Shea upsets favourite Anderson
Favourite Gary Anderson loses 5-3 to Tony O'Shea in the quarter-finals of the BDO World Darts Championship.

Williams set for Ospreys return
Wales get a pre-Six Nations boost with Shane Williams back from a shoulder injury for the Ospreys against Munster.

DeGale pro debut set for February
Olympic middleweight gold medallist James DeGale is to make his professional debut at the Birmingham NEC next month.

Teams unite in cost-cutting plan
Formula One's teams give the green light to plans to cut costs as FIA president Max Mosley urges a further reduction in spending.

In-form Keothavong reaches semis
British number one Anne Keothavong is one win away from her first WTA Tour final after beating Ajumi Morita in the last eight of the ASB Classic.

Giants abandon Carney deal
Huddersfield have to give up on plans to sign controversial Australian Todd Carney after he is refused a visa.

Master Minded heads Chase entries
Last year's runaway winner Master Minded heads the 29 entries for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival

FROM BBC NEWS >>
England rugby star Tindall gets lengthy driving ban
The England and Gloucester rugby player Mike Tindall is banned from driving for three years after admitting being over the drink-drive limit.

Thursday's gossip column
Latest: Boruc to stay despite Spanish interest, plus other rumours

Beckham 'may not return to MLS'
LA Galaxy's former general manager Alexi Lalas says he would not be surprised if David Beckham were not to return to America after his loan spell with AC Milan.

White to leave Sale for Clermont
Jason White will leave Sale Sharks at the end of the season to join Clermont Auvergne on a two-year-deal.

Ivanovic dumped out in Brisbane
Top seed Ana Ivanovic is beaten by former world number one Amelie Mauresmo in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International.

Honda weigh up 'a dozen offers'
Honda Racing boss Nick Fry says the Japanese company is considering around a dozen offers for its Formula One team.

Liu 'to miss World Championships'
China's former 110m hurdles world record holder Liu Xiang is set to miss this summer's World Championships in Berlin, according to his coach.

Denman heads Gold Cup entry list
The 2008 winner Denman and former champion Kauto Star are among 38 horses entered for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

German boost for British handball
Britain's handball bosses are in talks with a top German club in a bid to keep the Olympic programme on track after funding was cut in December.

Teenager Simmonds becomes MBE
Paralympic swimmer Eleanor Simmonds, 14, becomes the youngest person to be awarded an honour in the New Year Honours list after being apppointed an MBE.

Udal praises Strauss appointment
Middlesex captain Shaun Udal says Andrew Strauss is the ideal person to be England's new captain.

Eastwood closes in on Rhinos move
Leeds Rhinos new signing Greg Eastwood is a step closer to joining the Super League champions.

Hoey shoots superb 64 in Joburg
Michael Hoey is one shot off the lead in the Joburg Open after an excellent opening round.

Haye targets Wladimir Klitschko
David Haye's bout with Vitali Klitschko has been cancelled but the Briton could still take on his brother Wladimir.

Hoy surprised by knighthood
British Olympic hero Chris Hoy admits he is still coming to terms with receiving a knighthood in the New Year's Honours list.

Murphy defeats Fu to clinch title
Shaun Murphy earns a dramatic 10-9 victory over Marco Fu to win the UK Championship in Telford.

Walton destroys champion Webster
John Walton whitewashes defending champion Mark Webster to reach the BDO World Championship last eight.