IN BRIEF (Page 24)
BASKETBALL
Howard's late basket lifts high-flying Mavs
TORONTO: Josh Howard sank a lay-up with less than a second remaining to complete the Dallas Mavericks's 97-96 come-from-behind victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.
The Raptors led by as many as 16 points at one stage but the Mavericks fought back behind the hot shooting of Dirk Nowitzki to win for the 17th time in 18 games. Nowitzki finished with 38 points.
Howard was left unguarded in the final seconds as the Raptors double-teamed Nowitzki and the forward took advantage to stand under the basket and take Jason Terry's pass before slipping in the game-winning shot.
Toronto's Anthony Parker missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer to hand the Mavericks (31-8) their fourth straight win.
GOLF
Goydos ends title drought with Waialae victory
HONOLULU: American Paul Goydos ended a PGA Tour title drought of more than a decade with three birdies in the last four holes and a one-shot victory at the Sony Open on Sunday.
The 42-year-old, who almost chipped in for eagle at the last, overhauled overnight leader Charles Howell III and Britain's Luke Donald with a three-under-par 67 at a breezy Waialae Country Club.
Goydos, whose only other Tour victory came at the 1996 Bay Hill Invitational, recovered from two bogeys in the first three holes before finishing on 14-under 266.
He holed out from 25 feet at the 15th, rolled in a 20-footer on 16 to grab the outright lead for the first time and rallied from a bogey-four on 17 to win.
Cricket
Australia wants six Ashes tests next time
SYDNEY: Not satisfied with humiliating England 5-0, Australian cricket authorities are now proposing that the next Ashes series they host are played over six tests.
Australia wants to add an extra test to the 2010-11 series after this season's five tests were all sold out.
The additional match would be played in Hobart, along with the traditional venues of Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
"Cricket Australia is keen in principal to have six test matches the next time we have an Ashes series in four years," Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young told reporters on Monday.
(China Daily 01/16/2007 page24)
