The first in a series of slideshows that showcase the best sporting images of 2011.

The England cricket team celebrates with the Urn and Trophy after winning the Ashes series 3-1 during day five of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia, at the Sydney Cricket Ground. in Sydney, on January 7, 2011.

England won the fifth Ashes Test by an innings and 83 runs to claim a first series triumph in Australia in nearly a quarter of a century.

Kevin Pietersen kisses the Ashes Urn in the dressing room to celebrate England's Ashes victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground, on January 7, 2011.

Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Paddy Kenny dives to make a save during the Championship match against Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley, on January 15.

Marco Fu of Hong Kong looks for his next shot against Ding Junhui of China in the Final of The Ladbrokesmobile Masters on Day 8 at Wembley Arena in London, on January 16.

Jerricho Cotchery (left), Braylon Edwards (center) and Santonio Holmes of the New York Jets celebrate their 28 to 21 victory over the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, on January 16.

Maria Sharapova in action in her second round match against Virginie Razzano of France during day three of the 2011 Australian Open at Melbourne Park, in Melbourne, on January 19.

LeBron James of the Miami Heat lies on the floor after injuring his head during a game against the Detroit Pistons at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida, on January 28.

Lucas Neill of the Australian Socceroos poses during a portrait session at The Corniche in Doha, on January 27.

Kim Clijsters poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Australian Open women's final against Li Na of China in Melbourne, on January 29.

Clijsters won her second straight Grand Slam title and the fourth of her career, beating China's Li Na 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 at Melbourne Park.

The win for Clijsters came in what was probably her last appearance at Melbourne Park -- she said that 2011 could be her last full year on the tour.

A competitor jumps fire during the Tough Guy race in Perton, near Wolverhampton, on January 30.

Thousands of competitors from around the world come to compete in The Tough Guy Challenge, an eight mile endurance course of mud, freezing water and fire, held on farmland in the village of Perton.