IN BRIEF (Page 24)

NBA

Wizards re-sign Arenas

WASHINGTON D.C: The Washington Wizards have re-signed three-time all-star guard Gilbert Arenas, the team said on Sunday.

Terms of the contract were not announced but sources said it was worth $111 million over six years.

Arenas averaged 19.4 points and 5.1 assists in just 13 regular season games last year after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

The 26-year-old has averaged 25.6 points, 5.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds since joining the Wizards as a free agent in 2003.

Arenas has averaged 22.8 points and 5.5 assists during his seven-year NBA career. He played two seasons with Golden State before joining the Wizards.

Golf

Perry keeps cool for 3rd win

CHICAGO: American Kenny Perry won a three-way playoff to win the John Deere Classic at Silvis, Illinois, on Sunday and claim his third win in his last five PGA events.

Perry went into the final hole with a one-shot lead but made a hash of a chip to the green and bogeyed the 18th to leave him in a three-way playoff with Brad Adamonis and Jay Williamson.

The 47-year-old Perry kept his cool in the playoff, making a par while his two rivals found water and bogeyed.

"I felt like I gave it away and they gave it back to me. But I fought hard, produced key shots at the right time. That was a great win for me," said Perry.

Williamson's finish was enough to earn him an invitation to this week's British Open. Organizers of the John Deere Classic, in order to attract the best possible field, had organized on a chartered plane to take players directly to Manchester to prepare for the Open.

Cup joy for McDowell

LOCH LOMOND, Scotland: Graeme McDowell fulfilled a dream when his Scottish Open triumph all but secured his debut Ryder Cup appearance.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet," the 28-year-old from Northern Ireland told reporters after a closing 68 earned a 13-under tally of 271 and a two-stroke win over South African James Kingston at Loch Lomond on Sunday.

"It is a door-opener for me, takes me a massive step toward the Ryder Cup team, which has been a dream this year."

McDowell said winning a place in the biennial clash against the United States in Valhalla, Kentucky, in September was as big a feat as capturing a major championship.

Cricket

Smith rides to SA's rescue

LONDON: South Africa captain Graeme Smith came to his side's rescue on Sunday with a fighting 107, which may help salvage a draw in the first Test against England at Lord's.

Smith added 204 for the first wicket with Neil McKenzie, who was still at the crease on 102 after South Africa had been asked to follow on Saturday 346 runs in arrears.

At the close, South Africa was 242 for one, needing 104 to make England bat again with a day's play remaining.

Smith, who was out for eight in the first innings, was unable to capitalize on a huge slice of good fortune after reaching his century in the final session.

An edge off Kevin Pietersen's occasional off-spin, which seemed destined for Paul Collingwood at first slip, went through Tim Ambrose's gloves as the wicketkeeper lunged to his left.

However, he was out without adding a run when a skied pull shot off James Anderson was taken safely by Pietersen running in from backward point.

(China Daily 07/15/2008 page24)