Sports

Double gold medallist Nicola Adams wants to emulate Muhammad Ali's route from Olympic glory to world titles as she prepares to make her professional debut in Manchester on Saturday. Ali, who died in June, won gold at Rome 1960 before…

Alec Stewart feels plans for a new city-based Twenty20 tournament may not be enough to help counties in debt, and has concerns over how it may affect other formats of the game. The eight-team event, set to begin in 2020, was outlined by…

Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook made the highest scoring triple-double in NBA history as his side beat Orlando Magic 114-106. Westbrook scored 57 points as well as notching up 13 rebounds and 11 assists. Read more:…

The "time is right" for cricket to apply for a place at the Olympics, according to International Cricket Council chief Dave Richardson. Cricket has not been played at the Summer Games since Great Britain beat France to win gold in 1900.…

Kent have appointed former Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie as assistant to Matt Walker on an interim basis. The 41-year-old will stay with Kent until Allan Donald earns the qualifications to gain a visa and become assistant on a…

Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane admitted he was "extremely proud" to play Sheffield Shield cricket for New South Wales during an eventful winter. Crane, 20, became the first overseas player to represent the Australian state side since…

Sport England has awarded a further £27.1m of funding to seven sports including rugby league and swimming. More than half of the latest tranche will be used to increase participation, with the rest for talent development. Read more:…

Kevin O'Brien defied a hamstring injury to steer Ireland to a three-wicket win over Afghanistan and square the five-match One-Day series at 2-2. All-rounder O'Brien took four wickets and then hit an unbeaten 72 despite having to go off…

Leicester striker Jamie Vardy says he has received death threats and his family have been targeted since Claudio Ranieri was sacked as manager. The 30-year-old blamed "hurtful" and "false" accusations he influenced the club's decision to…

Ireland have unveiled a new-look women's squad for a three-match series against an England XI in April. The 15-player squad will also play a quadrangular tournament in South Africa against the hosts, Zimbabwe and India. Read more:…

Tennis legend Billie Jean King has backed the US women's national ice hockey team in their high profile equal pay dispute. Team USA are due to host the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships later this month. Read…

Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has been recalled to the England squad. The 34-year-old won the most recent of his 55 England caps against Chile in November 2013. Read more: http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39291266

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has turned down the most lucrative contract offer in the club's history. The Premier League club had been confident the Belgium international would sign a new five-year deal thought to be worth around…

Manchester United have been charged by the Football Association with failing to control their players during Monday's FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Chelsea. Referee Michael Oliver was surrounded by several United players after sending…

French clubs Racing 92 and Stade Francais have announced plans to merge from next season. Both clubs, who play in the Top 14 league and are based in Paris, need their amalgamation to be ratified by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR).…