Pakistan to ban Yousuf & Younus

Pakistan cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan are banned indefinitely from representing their country.

Beckham excited by Man Utd return

AC Milan's David Beckham says he is excited to face Manchester United at Old Trafford for the first time but maintains he wants them to lose.

France make two changes for Italy

France make two changes to their starting XV for Sunday's Six Nations match against Italy.

West Indies v Zimbabwe live score

West Indies take on Zimbabwe in the third one-day international at Guyana.

Clarke named in Aussie Test squad

Vice-captain Michael Clarke is named in the Australian Test squad despite recently returning home from New Zealand for personal reasons.

Onions ruled out of opening Test

England bowler Graham Onions is ruled out of the first Test against Bangladesh with a back injury, but there are more encouraging signals about Stuart Broad.

Janka win takes him above Raich

Carlo Janka wins the downhill in Garmisch to take the men's overall World Cup lead.

Benitez hits back at Wigan chief

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says Dave Whelan should concentrate on his own club after the Wigan chairman's claim that the Reds are in a "mess".

Robinson demands Scotland deliver

Head coach Andy Robinson insists inside knowledge alone will not be enough for Scotland to beat his native England.

Bendtner response delights Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praises the resolve of Nicklas Bendtner, who put recent media criticism behind him by scoring a hat-trick in the 5-0 Champions League win over Porto.

Cardiff given tax bill deadline

Cardiff City are given eight more weeks by the High Court to settle an outstanding tax bill.

Lorenzo poised to miss final test

Jorge Lorenzo admits he is likely to miss the final MotoGP pre-season test because of his hand injury.

McIlroy buoyed by Nicklaus advice

Rory McIlroy has spoken of a 90-minute one-to-one talk with Jack Nicklaus which he hopes will help him achieve his golfing dreams.

Olympic athletes set medal target

Great Britain have been set a target of at least 10 medals at this summer's European Athletics Championships by the national funding body.

Team USA chooses east London base for 2012

Team USA is to use University of East London campuses as its base for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Kobe's late jumper ends Lakers' 3-game slide

Kobe Bryant hit a 17-foot fallaway jumper with 1.9 seconds left, and the Lakers rallied in the fourth quarter to snap their three-game losing streak.

Terrell Owens meeting with Cincinnati Bengals about joining WR corps

Terrell Owens is headed to Cincinnati to see if the Bengals are interested in adding him to their stalled-out passing game.

Sources: Longtime Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to announce retirement

Longtime Boston Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra will announce his retirement.

Mike Dunleavy out as general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers

Mike Dunleavy was shocked that he was fired as general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers, barely a month after relinquishing his head coaching duties.

Cleveland Browns release former Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson

The Browns released former Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Anderson one day after the acquiring Seneca Wallace in a trade with the Seahawks.

Kansas City Chiefs sign ex-New York Jets RB Thomas Jones to deal

Kansas City signed running back Thomas Jones to a two-year deal worth $5 million, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Embattled Marion Jones to join WNBA's Tulsa Shock

The WNBA's Tulsa Shock will hold a news conference Wednesday at 11 a.m. ET to announce the signing of former track star Marion Jones.

Source: LaDainian Tomlinson schedules visit with Minnesota Vikings

LaDainian Tomlinson will visit the Vikings on Thursday.

Rafer Alston says he's happy with decision to leave Miami Heat for family reasons

Rafer Alston is content with his decision to leave the Heat, because it wasn't about losing his starting job.

Joe Nathan of Minnesota Twins has torn elbow ligament

Twins reliever Joe Nathan has been diagnosed with a torn ligament in his right elbow, leaving the team without a proven closer less than a month from Opening Day, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

Carl Edwards receives 3 weeks' probation for Brad Keselowski wreck

Carl Edwards will not be suspended for intentionally wrecking Brad Keselowski's car during last weekend's NASCAR race in Atlanta.

Stephen Strasburg of Washington Nationals throws two scoreless innings in spring debut

Top draft pick Stephen Strasburg has made his spring training debut for the Washington Nationals, pitching two scoreless innings against the Detroit Tigers.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish athletic director: Conference expansions could end our football independence

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick says the possible expansion of the Big Ten could create changes in major college football that force the Fighting Irish to give up their football independence.

New York Yankees won't discuss extensions for Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Joe Girardi until after season

Hal Steinbrenner says the New York Yankees won't alter their policy against contract extensions and will deal with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Joe Girardi after the season.

Michael Vick wins award on day Philadelphia Eagles pick up option

Dozens of protesters lined up outside a banquet hall where Michael Vick received an award on the same day the Eagles exercised their option on him.

Panel Part III: Efforts to develop black talent in USA insufficient

Fans look down from their seats onto the baseball field, see dark-colored skin and might assume they are African-American players.

Wednesday eye-opener: Has Vick done enough in your eyes?

Good morning.

Must-win Wednesday: Bubble teams look to keep hope alive

That sound you just heard? That was just the plethora of teams on the NCAA bubble breathing a sigh of relief after Butler took home the Horizon ...

Carl Edwards gets three-race probation for Keselowski crash

Issuing a three-race probation to Carl Edwards, NASCAR president Mike Helton said the aftermath of Brad Keselowski's crash Sunday at Atlanta ...

Riesch beats Vonn to keep World Cup race alive

Maria Riesch of Germany beat Lindsey Vonn of the United States by nearly half a second in the final downhill of the season to keep the race for ...

Former Dodgers star Willie Davis dead at 69

Willie Davis, a speedy center fielder who collected two World Series rings, three Gold Gloves and was a two-time All-Star during his 14 seasons ...

Ambrose escapes Atlanta mess, turns focus to off week, Bristol

What a wild finish it was on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway for our JTG Daugherty Racing team. There were a couple big crashes near the end. ...

Iowa's Harrison Barnes named Morgan Wootten Player of the Year

Growing up, Harrison Barnes watched tapes of Michael Jordan and even got to meet his childhood idol when he took his visit to North Carolina, ...

No. 12 Butler seals Horizon title with rout of Wright State

Shelvin Mack scored all 14 of his points in the first half, and Matt Howard had 14 points and nine rebounds to help No. 12 Butler rout second-seeded ...

Three weeks in, latest early injuries hit Nathan, Pujols

The Minnesota Twins became the latest team forced to change plans, telling their scouts on a conference call Monday to start searching for a ...

Riesch tops Vonn in final World Cup downhill (AP)

Alex Rodriguez 'at ease' with Canadian doctor (AP)

NASCAR puts Carl Edwards on probation for 3 races (AP)

No. 12 Butler routs Wright St. 70-45 (AP)

Dunleavy, Los Angeles Clippers sever ties (AP)

Strasburg makes long-awaited spring debut for Nats (AP)

Lawyers: Respect Roethlisberger accuser's privacy (AP)

Halladay shuts down Braves (AP)

Kobe sinks Raptors as Lakers end losing run (Reuters)

Stephenson leads Cincinnati over Rutgers (AP)

Payback time for Berbatov as United aim to slay Milan jinx (AFP)

Lievremont makes two changes for Italy rugby clash (AFP)

Garon, Blue Jackets beat Ducks 5-2 (AP)

Henin, Clijsters look to shake things up at Indian Wells (AFP)

Ping waives settlement on square grooves (AP)

UFC to show upcoming events in movie theaters (AP)

Police: Boxer's friend arrested in Vegas shooting (AP)

Council to examine bringing Grand Prix race to OKC (AP)

Reebok: progress made in search for Crosby gear (AP)

Celizic: Why no buzz about UConn women’s reign?

Celizic: Connecticut won its record 71st straight game on Monday. On Tuesday, the Huskies extended it to 72. No women’s team has ever won more consecutive games. Only UCLA’s 88-game winning streak that ran from 1971-74 is longer in D-I hoops. And America greeted this extraordinary achievement by erupting into a coast-to-coast yawn.

UConn extend win streak, roll to Big East title

Kalana Greene scored 15 points to help top-ranked Connecticut rout No. 9 West Virginia 60-32 on Tuesday night for its 72nd straight win and 16th Big East tournament championship.

Kobe beats buzzer as Lakers end skid

Kobe Bryant hit a 17-foot fallaway jumper with 1.9 seconds left, and the Los Angeles Lakers rallied in the fourth quarter to snap their three-game losing streak with a 109-107 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night.

Bucks make Celtics latest heavyweight victim

Andrew Bogut had 25 points and 17 rebounds, and the Milwaukee Bucks knocked off another Eastern Conference heavyweight, making a fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Boston Celtics 86-84 on Tuesday night.

Riesch tops Vonn in final World Cup downhill

Lindsey Vonn finished second to Maria Riesch of Germany in the final downhill of the season Wednesday, failing to clinch the World Cup overall title but maintaining a huge lead with three races to go.

Tourneys, and the world, await word on Tiger

Media reports that Tiger Woods is working with his swing coach Hank Haney have leading golfers talking of a possible return to action for the world number one.

Dunleavy is finished for good with Clippers

Mike Dunleavy is out as general manager of the Los Angeles Clippers, barely a month after relinquishing his head coaching duties.

Iginla finally helps Flames burn Wings

Star without a goal in 19 games against Detroit before scoring in 4-2 win.

UConn’s bubble bursts with loss to St. John’s

Sean Evans had 19 points and 10 rebounds to lead St. John's to a 73-51 victory over Connecticut on Tuesday, extending the Huskies' losing streak in the Big East tournament to six games and in effect ending their chance for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

Jury to deliberate in Bronco CB’s murder trial

Attorneys have finished their closing arguments in the trial of Willie Clark, the man charged with first-degree murder in the death of Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams.

From Peyton to Eli: Giants sign backup QB Sorgi

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -After six years backing up Peyton Manning in Indianapolis, Jim Sorgi will get a chance to do the same for Peyton's brother Eli.

Vick 'humbled' by Ed Block Courage Award

Inside the banquet hall, a humbled but defiant Michael Vick was honored Tuesday night as one of 32 NFL players to receive the Ed Block Courage Award.

Santana struggles in first game since August

Johan Santana struggled in his first game since August, allowing four runs on six hits in 1 2-3 innings, and the Houston Astros beat the New York Mets 8-4 on Tuesday.

Free agent Terrell Owens will meet with Bengals

Terrell Owens headed to Cincinnati on Tuesday to see if the Bengals are interested in adding him to their stalled-out passing game.

Tomlinson to visit with Vikings on Thursday

LaDainian Tomlinson is scheduled to visit with the Vikings on Thursday, according to SI.com's Jim Trotter. ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms.

Vegas Advisors on Gambling

A game by game breakdown by the experts

Live odds

Matchups/injuries

Red Sox to Cubs, Kevin Millar Embraces Another Challenge

Kevin Millar was with Boston when it won its first World Series in 86 years. Can he help the Chicago Cubs end their long drought?

Rusty Johan Santana Passes His First Test for Mets

The Mets’ ace allowed four runs and six hits against Houston, but he reported no problems with his surgically cleaned left elbow.

Rodriguez Says Attention Isn’t Frustrating

Alex Rodriguez said that although federal investigators want to meet with him about his ties to a Canadian doctor under investigation, he was at ease.

No. 1 UConn 60, No. 8 West Virginia 32: No. 1 UConn Women Improvise to an All-Too-Familiar Tune

UConn won its 72nd consecutive game, an N.C.A.A. women’s record, and another Big East title on Tuesday.

Notre Dame Rethinking Its Football Independence

With the Big Ten and Pacific-10 considering expansion, Notre Dame is being forced to explore options for its future.

Nascar Gives Edwards Probation for Deliberately Causing Crash

After imploring drivers to be more aggressive on the racetrack this season to help rebuild fading fan support, Nascar issued a probation to Carl Edwards.

Seton Hall 109, Providence 106: Offense Leads the Way as Seton Hall Moves On

Herb Pope had 27 points and 11 rebounds in the Pirates’ win against Providence in the first round of the Big East tournament. They will play Notre Dame on Wednesday.

St. John's 73, UConn 51: St. John’s Eliminates a Fading UConn

St. John’s buried the Huskies’ last hopes for reaching the N.C.A.A. tournament by winning the first round matchup in the Big East Tournament.

South Florida 58, DePaul 49: South Florida Beats DePaul

DePaul could not knock the Bulls off their march into the Big East tournament’s second round with a 58-49 win.

Cincinnati 69, Rutgers 68: Loss Dims Future of Rutgers Coach

Coach Fred Hill’s record fell to 47-77 and 13-59 in the Big East in four seasons. Rutgers finished the season 15-17, 5-13 during the conference regular season.

Men’s Roundup: Butler Breezes Past Wright State and Into N.C.A.A. Field

Keith Cothran and Lamonte Ulmer each scored 15 points to help Rhode Island defeat visiting St. Joseph’s in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament.

N.B.A. Roundup: Andrew Bogut Helps the Bucks Edge the Celtics

The Bucks seized control against the Celtics with a strong run in the middle of the fourth quarter.

N.H.L. General Managers Nearer to Acting on Some Hits to the Head

“We are moving toward a set of rules or a specific rule” to curb blind-side shoulder checks to the head, a member of a group that has been studying the matter said.

N.H.L. Roundup: Islanders Lose to Flyers for 15th Straight Time

Colin Wilson scored off an Atlanta miscue and Dan Ellis turned aside 30 shots, leading the Nashville Predators to a 2-1 victory over the slumping Atlanta Thrashers.

New York Triathlon Wins Ruling Blocking Club’s Similar Name

A court ruling against the NYC Triathlon Club could have implications for the sport’s independent clubs nationwide.

Cervelli’s Latest Concussion Has Yankees’ Attention

The Yankees backup catcher said he was feeling “sensational” as he recovers from his second concussion since November.

Mets’ Reyes Gets Encouraging News From Specialists

Doctors must now determine a course of treatment for the Mets shortstop that will get him back on the field relatively soon.

Roundup: No. 1 Pick Strasburg Has Strong Spring Debut for Nationals

Stephen Strasburg, who signed a four-year, $15.1 million contract with Washington, allowed two hits in his spring-training debut on Tuesday.

Twins' Nathan Has Torn Ligament

Joe Nathan's season is in doubt after it was disclosed Tuesday that he has a "significant tear" of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Sorgi Goes From Backing Up One Manning to the Other

After six years as Peyton Manning's little-used backup quarterback in Indianapolis, Jim Sorgi signed with the Giants to play behind Eli Manning.

Ankle Injury Ends Bode Miller's Season

In the wake of his successful Olympics, Bode Miller said he will not finish the World Cup season because of a lingering ankle injury

Willie Davis Is Dead at 69; Was Snider’s Successor

Mr. Davis, known for his blazing speed, led the National League in triples twice and set a record of three stolen bases in a World Series game.

Henry Wittenberg, Champion Wrestler, Dies at 91

Mr. Wittenberg was an Olympic gold and silver medalist who had an undefeated streak of more than 300 matches and was one of the first wrestlers to lift weights.

A Look Back: The Defining Performances

A look back at the defining performances and memorable athletes of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Sports of The Times: St. John’s Takes an Opener, With No Fight From UConn

Connecticut was so apathetic that there is almost no way to gauge just where St. John’s is at the moment.

Sports of The Times: Rollins Puts Away His Crystal Ball

Jimmy Rollins’s decision to tone down the verbal part of his game coincides with Philadelphia’s arrival as a recent World Series champion and consistent contender.

Sports Business: Yankees Expect Success for Pinstripe Bowl

The team’s president says the bowl game will be a hit because it will be run by the Yankees and played at Yankee Stadium.

In the Arena: Davis Cup Short of Stars but Not of Heroes

Under attack again from inside and outside the game and short on star power, the Davis Cup showed why it is worth saving in a memorable first round.