England were the dominant cricket team of 2011 and retaining the Ashes against Australia proved the shape of things to come. A thumping innings victory in the fifth Test in Sydney wrapped up a 3-1 series win, their first Down Under in 24 years, and by the end of the year England had usurped India as the world's No.1 side.
(CNN) -- As 2011 comes to an end, it is time to look back and reflect on another remarkable sporting year.
From the highs of winning trophies and titles to the lows of losing some of sport's much-loved figures, 2011 will be remembered with mixed emotions.
With a new year on the horizon and the prospect of major sporting events like the London Olympics and football's Euro 2012 finals looming large, CNN looks back at the year just ending and picks out a story from each of the 12 months.
Do you agree with our choice? Write in to let us know.
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Super Bowl XLV was a thriller. Two of the NFL's iconic franchises, Green Bay and Pittsburgh, served up a treat in front of over 100,000 people in Dallas, with the Packers claiming their fourth title courtesy of a 31-25 victory. Nick Collins (pictured) ran 37 yards from an interception for one of their TD's.
The sport of Formula One belonged to one man, Sebastian Vettel. The 24-year-old German's victory in the opening Australian Grand Prix proved the start of a dominant year which saw him win 11 races and become the youngest driver in history to retain his world title.
The first golfing major, the Masters, also proved the most dramatic. Going into the final round, Rory McIlroy held a four-stroke lead and seemed destined to win. But the Northern Irishman capitulated to an 80 allowing South African Charl Schwartzel to snatch victory with a best-of-the day 66 and claim his first green jacket.
Barcelona had beaten Manchester United in the 2009 Champions League final and the two giants met again in the 2011 showpiece. United had 'home' advantage at Wembley, but once again Barca proved they are one of the greatest teams the world has ever seen with a 3-1 win -- with Argentine maestro Lionel Messi scoring one of the goals.
2011 proved to be a transition year in women's tennis with three maiden grand slam winners. That run began with Li Na's French Open victory over holder Francesca Schiavone. It was China's first -- and sent a nation into wild jubilation.
All the talk before the Tour de France had been about the potential showdown between champion Alberto Contador and double runner-up Andy Schleck. However, 34-year-old Cadel Evans proved age was no barrier to shock the favorites in the world's toughest race -- the first Australian to take home the famous yellow jersey.
The fastest man in history was expected to continue his sprinting domination in the world championship 100m in Daegu. But a packed stadium looked on in shock as Usain Bolt was thrown out of the race for false-starting, allowing fellow-Jamaican Yohan Blake to become the youngest-ever world champion at just 21.
Novak Djokovic had won just one grand slam event prior to 2011, yet the Serb was to proved unbeatable during the year. His US Open victory was his third of the year, underlining his new status as the world's top tennis player.
The world of motorsport was in mourning in October as two of its brightest stars were killed in action. Just a week after Indycar ace Dan Wheldon lost his life, Italian Marco Simoncelli died in an accident during the Malaysian MotoGP.
Pakistan cricket was thrown into turmoil when Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir all received jail sentences for their part in a betting scam against England the previous year. A three-year term for captain Butt highlighted the seriousness of the crime, while teenage prospect Amir's future now lies in tatters.
The year ended with another piece of sporting history being made. The European Tour and US PGA Tour run side-by-side, with the leading golfers dedicating their season to one or the other. Yet England's Luke Donald remarkably managed to top the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic, ending 2011 as the undisputed number one player in the world.
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