PHOTOS: Best sports moments of 2011 - Part 3

Richard Cresswell of Sheffield United battles with Nottingham Forest's Chris Cohen during the npower Championship match at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, on March 8, 2011.

Ireland's Kevin O'Brien celebrates scoring a century batting against England in the Group B 2011 ICC World Cup match at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore, on March 2, 2011.

O'Brien smashed the fastest ever World Cup ton to help Ireland register a stunning three-wicket win over England.

O'Brien, who clobbered 13 fours and six sixes to reach three figures in only 50 balls, helped the Irish to live up to their reputation as giant-killers as they overhauled England's total of 327-8 with five balls to spare. It was the highest successful run chase in the tournament.

With this blazing crntury, O'Brien eclipsed Mathew Hayden's previous record of hundred in 66 balls against South Africa at St Kitts during the previous edition.

Yuvraj Singh (left), Sachin Tendulkar (centre) and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni celebrate victory during the 2011 ICC World Cup second semi-final against Pakistan at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali, on March 30, 2011.

India vanquished Pakistan in Mohali to storm into the final of the World Cup, after a high-voltage match, watched by the prime ministers of the two countries and millions of passionate fans across the sub-continent.

The 29-run semi-final victory, which enabled India maintain its unbeaten record against its archrivals in 36 years of World Cup history, was the result of some brilliant bowling and fielding by the home side after its much-vaunted batting line-up posted a modest 260 for nine.

Festus Ezeli (right) of the Vanderbilt Commodores lies on the court after being knocked as Storm Warren of the LSU Tigers takes a shot during the first round of the SEC men's basketball tournament at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 10, 2011.

Australia's Ricky Ponting (right) collides with team-mate Steven Smith as he takes a catch to dismiss Harvir Baidwan of Canada off Jason Krejza's bowling during the 2011 ICC World Cup Group A match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, on March 16, 2011.

England's Jack Wilshere (right) is challenged by Andrew Crofts of Wales during the UEFA EURO 2012 Group G qualifying match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, on March 26, 2011.

Robert Thornton riding the Araldur wins The Free Bets at gg.com Novices' Hurdle Race to record his 1000th winner of his riding career at Towcester racecourse in Towcester, England, on March 28, 2011.

Scott Verplank of the US plays his third shot at the 15th hole during the first round of the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard at the Bay Hill Lodge and Country Club in Orlando, Florida, on March 24, 2011.

Courtney Hicks of the US competes in the Ladies Free on day six of the 2011 World Junior Figure Skating Championships at Gangneung International Ice Rink in Gangneung, South Korea, on March 5, 2011.

Julian Boyd of the Long Island Blackbirds dunks the ball while taking on the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on March 18, 2011.