Athletics: South African runner Oscar Pistorius, known as the “Blade Runner” for his carbon fibre blades, has been confirmed to race in Australia, officials said yesterday. The double amputee will compete in the Sydney and Perth instalments of the 2013 Australian Athletics Tour in March. “Having never competed in Australia before, I am very excited to line up in Sydney and Perth,” Pistorius said.

Golf: Rory McIlroy has ended the year as world No.1 for the first time with a comfortable lead at the top of the official rankings over Luke Donald and Tiger Woods. The 23-year-old Ulsterman won four tournaments during the year including his second major at the USPGA Championships in August. That allowed him to break free of a year-long logjam atop the rankings involving himself, Donald and Lee Westwood.

Cricket: England scored a famous 2-1 Test series victory over India after centurions Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell shut the hosts out to confirm the stalemate they needed in Nagpur yesterday. Trott (143) and Bell (116no) barely had a moment’s anxiety in a stand of 208 before England declared on 352 for four in the final session, with a lead of 356 which rendered an India second innings unnecessary. It is almost 28 years since England last won a Test series in India.

Rugby Union: Toulon lock Bakkies Botha will be sidelined for up to two months as the Springbok international undergoes surgery on a fractured eye socket suffered during his team’s 62-0 rout over English club Sale in European Cup action. The 33-year-old only recently extended his contract with the Top 14 leaders until 2015 but came off just before half-time on Sunday and will have an operation later in the week.