Red tape, payroll tax in CCIWA wishlist

CCIWA chief executive James Pearson. Picture: Richard Polden Source: PerthNow

CHAMBER of Commerce and Industry WA launched its election campaign today with a glass of wine in one hand and their demands in the other.

As The Sunday Times revealed this week CCIWA wants politicians to look at the small end of town this election with their demands including cutting red tape, increasing the payroll tax threshold and energy reform.

In a bid to highlight the red tape nightmare WA small businesses are living the launch was held at Precinct Restaurant, which has struggled to get proper liquor licensing for nearly two years.

CCIWA chief executive James Pearson said the small business was a perfect example of the red tape that was costing businesses more than $10,000 a year.

"They actually had to have three licences over the period of a better part of 18 months before they got permission to open this venue, which is obviously generating employment and adding to the vibrancy of this part of Perth," he said.

"To add insult to injury they actually had to apply for the granting of a special license to allow us all to gather today to be able to drink alcohol while standing up."

Precinct Restaurant co-owner Sarita Leal said the licensing issues had been an ongoing frustration that cost them thousands of dollars.

It also resulted in many customers being confused and never coming back, she said.

Ms Leal and her partners were refused a small bar licence in January last year and subsequently opened the restaurant two months later with customers able to bring their own alcohol.

Three months later the restaurant was granted an alfresco dining licence and eventually given permission to serve alcohol without food.

But, customers may not stand up with a drink in their hand – unless the business owners pay the extra cash to get a special event license as they did for today's launch.

"The one thing that creates a lot of the difficulty is we've now got three licenses to operate how we want to operate but at the same time we can't allow patrons to stand up and have a drink," she said.

Mr Pearson said CCIWA's election website, vote1business.com, would help give other small business owners like Mr Leal a voice during the election.

Business owners will be able to suggest other issues they want discussed, which Mr Pearson said they will then take to the politicians.

Though leading policy advisors on both sides of politics were invited, the launch was only attended by local ALP member Ben Wyatt.

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Mexican standoff as burrito bonanza hits

The hungry queue outside the new Guzman y Gomez in Northbridge. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

Mariachi International from Colombia perform outside Guzman y Gomez in Northbridge as hungry customers wait in line for their free burrito. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

The new Guzman y Gomez in Northbridge. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow

THE hungry masses have descended on Northbridge - but it's more than just the lunch rush.

In a stroke of marketing genius, new Mexican restaurant Guzman y Gomez (GYG) is having a day of free burritos.

Not just for a couple of hours in the middle of the afternoon, but all day from 11am to 8pm, in an attempt to hook the hungry and break a burrito record.

When PerthNow went down this afternoon, the line was 60m long, more diners were lining up and the restaurant was pumping with hundreds of people, Latino music and a Mariachi band entertaining the hungry queue.

See the pictures from today's big opening

GYG Northbridge is the first restaurant in WA and 20th across Australia, with the free burrito day an opening tradition of the chain.

By 1pm about 1500 people had gone through the doors and the restaurant is hoping to see more than 5000 to beat its own burrito record, which stands at 4604 from the opening of a Melbourne store.

Owner Steven Marks pumps tens of thousands of dollars into the openings, flying a Mariachi band from Queensland and extra staff from Sydney for the day.

He started GYG with a friend back in 2006 when he moved from New York and noticed Mexican food in Australia left a lot to be desired.

They named GYG after two friends from home, with the purpose of spreading fresh, cheap Mexican food across the country.

"We wanted to introduce Mexican and Latin culture here," Mr Marks said.

"Everything is fresh, we opened the kitchen so people can see what we're cooking - the amount of fresh tomatoes and onions we go through."

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WA at risk of another severe cyclone

Severe cyclones are more likely in the second half of the season, according to the BOM. Source: PerthNow

FORECASTERS say Western Australia can expect at least one more cyclone to batter the state before the end of March.

As the midpoint of the tropical cyclone season passed today, the Bureau of Meteorology issued their updated tropical cyclone outlook for WA for the next three months.

The Bureau and the state's Department of Fire and Emergency Services urged residents in the north-west not to become complacent, despite the state having escaped major damage from cyclones so far this season.

Andrew Burton, the Bureau's regional manager for severe weather services said the second half of the season was often busier than the first, and carried a higher chance of a severe tropical cyclone impact.

"By the end of February the tropical cyclone risk will increase, and we would expect to see at least one cyclone threaten the coast during March and early April'' Mr Burton said.

"Cyclones that form during this period are more likely to become severe tropical cyclones (Category 3 and above), so we often get our worst impacts in the second half of the season''.

Three tropical cyclones have formed off the north-west coast so far this season.

Mitchell passed well to the west of Northwest Cape late in December, followed by Narelle which tracked parallel to the north-west coast in mid January.

The only direct impact has been from Peta which hit the coast just east of Roebourne on January 23 as a Category 1 cyclone.

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AFL 2013 win predictions

Nathan Buckley is hoping to improve on Collingwood's 16 wins last season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

AFL writers Jay Clark, Sam Edmund and Sam Landsberger predict how many matches your team will win in 2013.

Eskander's Betstar has released a market that allows punters to bet on whether each club will finish over or under the number of wins predicted by the bookmaker's forecasters.

See the line for each club below plus our expert assessments - and have your say by leaving a comment below or sending a message on Twitter to:

Jay Clark: @clarkyheraldsun
Sam Edmund: @sammyheraldsun
Sam Landsberger: @samlandsberger

Note: Tipsters were limited to selecting nine teams "over" and nine "under".

BEST BETS

CLARK: Gold Coast under 5 wins ($1.90)
EDMUND: Collingwood over 15.5 wins ($1.90)
LANDSBERGER: Brisbane over 9.5 wins ($1.90)

EVERY CLUB RATED

ADELAIDE
Betstar line: 14 wins

Clark: Over ($1.80)
Fairly soft draw will ensure the Crows are bashing down the door of the top-four again. Love the kids such as Rory Sloane and Rising Star winner Daniel Talia. Hard-nut Brad Crouch is a ready-made beauty. Forget Tippett, this is the No.1 contested ball team from last year.

Edmund: Over ($1.80)
The second-year blues will hit and the loss of Tippett will hurt, but they'll get to 14.

Landsberger: Over ($1.80)
They say Tex is the new Buddy. With 12 games at AAMI Stadium and another soft draw they will cruise to 15 wins.

BRISBANE LIONS
Betstar line: 9.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.90)
Tipping they're one of the big improvers this year. Play GWS, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs twice. Key forward presence the biggest query as Jon Brown nears the end.

Edmund: Under ($1.90)
Let's be honest, they fluked a few wins last year. Adelaide? West Coast? Please. Can't and won't happen again. Forward line looks thin to say the least. There's an over-reliance on Brown, who is another year older. If he goes down - again - they will struggle.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
The Lions are a huge finals roughie with an underrated young list. Should easily replicate last year's tally of 10 wins.

New Carlton draftee Troy Menzel with coach Mick Malthouse. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON
Betstar line: 14 wins

Clark: Over ($1.90)
Mick has stumbled upon a pot of gold, as the Blues are ready to go. Expect a version of "the press" to be employed inside 50m and Robert Warnock and Matthew Kreuzer to improve markedly in 2013.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
Maybe because they didn't have a high-performance coach nicknamed "The Weapon" the Blues' 2012 injury nightmare was often overlooked. When they were all on the park early the results were highly encouraging, which is why a mainly injury-free pre-season is cause for optimism. Oh, and that bloke Mick knows a thing or two about the game as well.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
Mick doesn't muck around. Will finish the year like a steam train to give the top four a shake.

COLLINGWOOD
Betstar line: 15.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.90)
Pies are raving about Quinten Lynch's summer form and Luke Ball and Lachy Keeffe return from knee recos. Got to be better in second season under Bucks.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
This is quite simple. Despite a knee injury epidemic that claimed just about everyone bar the water boys, this mob still clawed its way to 16 wins last year. Throw in the Cloke contract saga and Buckley's first year as coach and that winning tally looks even more impressive. Young, Lynch and Russell all joined in a fruitful off-season ... I'll stop now, 15.5 wins is a monty.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
The gloves are off, literally, and the all-star engine room will ensure a fifth-straight top-four finish.

Mover and shaker: Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard has be chosen to join the eight-man leadership group at Windy Hill. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON
Betstar line: 13 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
They've got the biggest name of the trade period in Brendon Goddard, but not convinced Hirdy's boys are top-eight material just yet.

Edmund: Under ($1.90)
Harder to read than a Chinese dictionary. Will this be the year their exhilarating early-season starts are maintained through the season, or will they again fade like your grandmother's carpet? Still think they're a bit light-on to get to 13 wins, despite the addition of Goddard and the undoubted talent of first-year forward Joe Daniher.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
BJ's onboard but finding another three wins looks a stretch. Can still go under and make finals.

FREMANTLE
Betstar line: 14 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
One of the toughest to pick, because the signs in the elimination final win over Geelong were ultra-impressive. But, even with Ross the boss in charge, Dockers will need full seasons from Pavlich, Sandilands and McPharlin to hit the 14-win mark.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
It's very difficult to believe the Dockers, exposed to another summer of Ross Lyon's tactical genius, can't eclipse the 14-win mark. They got their last year despite slumping to 6-7 after Round 14 - about the same time everyone in purple was calling for the coach's head. That's when Lyon's message started sinking in.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
A tough one. Pav's back is a worry, Morabito is out, the defence lost a chunk of depth and it might take one more season to hit full throttle under Ross Lyon.

Tom Hawkins celebrates with his teammates after kicking the winning goal after the siren to continue Hawthorn's run of outs against the Cats. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG
Betstar line: 13.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.85)
Lots to like about their trade period, once again. Josh Caddy is starring over summer and Hamish McIntosh is an upgrade ruck/forward. Can't see them being beaten at home when they finally get on Simonds Stadium from mid-season.

Edmund: Over ($1.85)
The aura may have softened, but this is a side still devastating on its day. The recruitment of Rivers and McIntosh were masterstrokes. If history is any guide they won't drop off the cliff.

Landsberger: Under ($1.95)
Could hit panic stations early and it'll be hard to recover despite the spate of Simonds Stadium matches in the run home.

GOLD COAST
Betstar line: 5 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
Expecting the Paul Roos to Gold Coast talk to fire up midway through the year. Can't dispute the level of talent but haven't seen enough on-field signs to suggest they will flourish in year three. Jaeger O'Meara will provide some joy, though.

Edmund: Under ($1.90)
Missed out on the power forward they so desperately need. Ablett, Bennell and Co can dominate all they like, but when the ball flies straight back over their heads ad nauseam, you don't win too many games. No doubt the kids will improve - they have to - but five wins? Can't see it.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
Is there such a thing as third-year blues? Can't see the Suns doubling their wins tally.

GWS
Betstar line: 5 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
We know they will be a powerhouse but another year at the bottom beckons in 2013.

EDMUND: Unders ($1.90)
No Izzy, no GWS.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
Leon Cameron will take over a two-time wooden-spoon side. But that'll just make the Giants even scarier in the long term.

Hawthorn footballer Brian Lake at training today after he was booked by police for being drunk in a public place over the weekend. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN
Betstar line: 16.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.85)
Seventeen wins is achievable if they can navigate an exceptionally tough first month. Won 17 last year and added Brian Lake.

Edmund: Over ($1.85)
Will be slapped in the face early by the draw from hell, but we're talking about a side that notched 17 wins last year. Add Brian Lake and surely, surely, they can get going and rack up at least 16.5 victories.

Landsberger: Over ($1.85)
It's a tough draw on paper, but so are the Hawks. Not going to drop six matches when just four are at hostile venues.

MELBOURNE
Betstar line: 6.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.90)
The Dees play GWS, Gold Coast and the Bulldogs twice each. Jack Viney and Jimmy Toumpas will make an immediate impression onball and Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes make a potent double act up forward. Surely, Dees.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
Did their bit for the AFL environment over the trade and free agency period, recycling like mad men. Rodan, Byrnes, Dawes and Pederson aren't matchwinners, but they add much-needed depth and experience. Will be fitter, stronger and surely more accomplished at executing Mark Neeld's game plan.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
Viney out of the middle, hands it to Byrnes who goes long, Clark can't mark but Dawes gathers, snaps… goal. It's a new-look Dees this year, with developing a winning culture the No.1 priority.

Melbourne's father-son selection Jack Viney with his dad Todd at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

NORTH MELBOURNE
Betstar line: 12 wins

Clark: Over ($1.85)
Won't be a walk in the park as the Roos confront a much tougher draw this year and will miss Boomer for the first six matches. Still, a side on track to contend for top four in 2014 should have 12 wins by Round 20.

Edmund: Under ($1.95)
Any mental demons from that embarrassing elimination final exit at the hands of West Coast will be flushed out by a tough opening to the season in which they face Collingwood, Geelong and Sydney. There's no Boomer for the first six rounds and McIntosh and Edwards were allowed to leave over summer. Not much came back the other way.

Landsberger: Under ($1.95)
How much mental scarring will that embarrassing elimination final showing leave?

PORT ADELAIDE
Betstar line: 5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.85)
Hard to erase memories of being knocked off by GWS and Gold Coast in past two years but surely they will finally take some steps forward this year, under Ken Hinkley. Improvement from a fit Hamish Hartlett and John Butcher is the key.

Edmund: Under ($1.95)
No, no no. Just no.

Landsberger: Over ($1.85)
The regenerated Power will surprise plenty this year. Should scratch and crawl their way to six wins.

RICHMOND
Betstar line: 12 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
The Tigers' fortunes will be one of the stories of the year and it's all going to happen at the back end of the season when the Tigers confront some lower-placed sides. Despite the hype, they will fall just short.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
Put it this way, if the Tigers don't make the eight this year don't worry about a trailer of manure on the doorstep, the ME Bank Centre might be buried under the stuff. Despite their loyalty, patience has just about expired among Tiger fans and fair enough. The recruiting blunders are a thing of the past. Chaplin, Edwards, Knights, Petterd and Lonergan are great additions and Cotchin will thrive on captaincy duties. In the words of Sam Kekovich, you know it makes sense.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
It's Tiger Time. Nuff said.

ST KILDA
Betstar line: 9 wins

Clark: Under ($1.95)
Down year coming up for the Saints, despite the exciting batch of first-to-third year youngsters coming through. Time to regenerate.

Edmund: Under ($1.95)
When you look at the St Kilda list you see a gap between their mature stars and their kids about as wide as the Grand Canyon. And this why the slide will be on in 2013. Goddard is gone and that core group of stars - Riewoldt, Montagna, Dal Santo and Co - won't get any better. Expect a quiet year or two.

Landsberger: Under ($1.95)
They've got 18 leaders but are looking at half that number in wins. Still, on the right track.

St Kilda coach Scott Watters, left, and captain Nick Riewoldt watch a Denver Broncos training session in Englewood, Colorado. Picture: Dustin Bradford. Source: Getty Images

SYDNEY
Betstar line: 15.5 wins

Clark: Under ($1.85)
The Swans played out of their skins last year and credit to them. Even with Kurt Tippett in the fold I can't see them replicating last year's heroics.

Edmund: Under (1.85)
We underestimate them every year, so why stop now? Rivals will have done their homework, Goodes will be a slow starter and Tippett won't play until mid-year and probably cause all manner of distraction along the way. Even the Swans could suffer the good ol' fashioned premiership hangover.

Landsberger: Over ($1.95)
Won 16 last year and then picked up a bloke called Kurt Tippett. Won't lose at home.

2012 Grand Final. Hawthorn v Sydney Swans. MCG. Sydney players on the podium as Bob Skilton looks on. Source: Herald Sun

WEST COAST
Betstar line: 16 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
Two things worry me: Nic Nat's groin and Fremantle's knack of topping them at Subi. Still a threat in finals.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
There's a buzz team every summer and this time it's the Eagles. Why? Aside from the fact they were hard to beat last year, they've added Wellingham, goalkickers LeCras and Nicoski return, while Kennedy can't be that unlucky again.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
Could hinge on the two derbies. The line here is spot on – tough to call.

Welcome to the major league, lads: Jake Stringer and Jackson Macrae after being selected at No.5 and No.6 by the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Betstar line: 4 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
Only play Gold Coast, Port Adelaide and GWS once each. Adam Cooney is up and about but games against Melbourne will determine whether the Dogs cover the line this year.

Edmund: Under ($1.90)
You can surround your club with football royalty, but come Round 12, they'll be asking Scarlett and Mooney to pull the boots on. Lake leaves a hole they can't yet fill and for all the promise shown by the likes of Wallis and Libba, the list looks thin on the ground.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
A horror draw makes life tough, but wins-losses aside, the future is bright at the kennel.

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Hot summer nights during dry January

Perth experienced one of its hottest and driest Januarys in recent memory. Source: PerthNow

PERTH has recorded its driest January in three years and higher than average minimum temperatures.

The metropolitan area recorded 7.2mm of rainfall over five days this month, close to the long-term average of 9.7 mm.

The most rain was recorded on January 7, with 4.8mm, and it was the driest January since 2010, when no measurable rain fell.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, this month was also had above average minimum temperatures.

Perth's average daily minimum in January 2013 was 19.3 °C, which was well above the long-term mean of 18°C.

The first two days of 2013 saw warm overnight conditions for most sites, with temperatures in the low-to-mid twenties, whilst consecutive warm to hot nights were experienced between January 6 and 9, and 13 and 16.

Perth Airport recorded its hottest January night in 69 years of record with a daily minimum temperature of 27.8 °C on January 15 - its previous high of 27.3 °C was set in 1989.

The highest minimum temperature in the metropolitan area went to Gosnells, which had a 29°C night this month.

The hottest day in Perth this month was recorded on January 8 at the Pearce RAAF Airbase, with 41.1°C.

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Selectors, you've been Warned

Shane Warne has delivered Part 1 of his manifesto, outlining what he thinks is wrong with Australian cricket. Picture: Foxtel Source: Supplied

HE missed his promised 5pm deadline, but Shane Warne has delivered on Part 1 of his manifesto detailing his views on the things he perceives to be wrong with Australian cricket.

The national selection panel is squarely in his firing line. Warne advocates a clean-out with Rod Marsh the only survivor of the current crop led by John Inverarity.

Warne's selectors would be Rod Marsh (Chairman), Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn and his old partner in wicket-taking crime, Glenn McGrath.

Warne has also named his preferred support staff. They are:

CEO of cricket or GM: Mark Taylor:

Who Warne describes as wonderful communicator who is very approachable and respected.

Coach: Stephen Fleming:

The Kiwi who Warne describes as the best opposition Captain he played against and a calm, intelligent leader

Assistant Coach: Darren "Boof" Lehmann:

Warne says he understands the game as "good" as anyone and is a good balance of old school and new school

Batting Coaches: Mike Hussey / Michael Bevan:

Warne describes them as respected players who grasp all forms of the game.

Bowling Coaches: Merv Hughes / Bruce Reid:

Warne says they were very clever bowlers who have a great attitude and a passion for the game.

Consultant: Ian Chappell:

Warne would have Chappell on call as a sounding board for any player to talk to at anytime and be around the group when needed. He says "Chaps" was the biggest influence on his cricketing career, with an understanding of the game is second to none.

"All the above people are cricket people, not rugby, tennis or from any other sporting code," Warne writes.

"They all understand the game of cricket, they have lived and breathed the game for a long time and most importantly have the best interests of Australian cricket at heart, along with being super passionate and above all, they just love the game."

Six years after his retirement from Test cricket, Warne remains a divisive figure. But few people doubt his cricket brain or his understanding of what makes a champion team tick.

Warne in his heyday was famed not just for his skill with ball in hand, but for his intuition.

For him, cricket was always a game of feel. Science could only help so much, which is one reason why he rarely saw eye-to-eye with coach John Buchanan.

It's for these reasons that Warne has chosen people who are not sports scientists for his dream team running Australian cricket.

As he wrote just then: "Cricket is a simple game; sure it has room and a place for scientific research and current technology, which can help learn about an opponent, but not instead of using your cricket brain, together they can work hand in hand.

"It's time to go back to basics. Too many people are justifying their existence."

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Warne spins us his manifesto

Shane Warne has delivered his promised manifesto on the future of Australian cricket. Source: Getty Images

SHANE Warne has delivered his promised manifesto for the future of Australian cricket - and nominated Kiwi Stephen Fleming as his preferred coach of the Test team.

Warne, who claims cricket's controversial rotation policy can never work, has also suggested former Australian captain Mark Taylor replace Pat Howard as the Australian team's performance boss.

READ WARNE'S FULL STATEMENT BELOW

The leg-spin king says he will be discussing his plan for the future with CA boss James Sutherland next week.

Warne believes Australian players must take ownership of their positions and refuse to be rotated.

"A simple criteria is pick your best team and stick with it in all forms, then the players get used (to) playing together and being with one another on tour, you get to know the person, too much chopping and changing leads to insecurity, players then start to look out for themselves and over their shoulder, this breeds selfishness," Warne wrote.

"It's also why rotation and resting players will never work. I believe the players should be united, take ownership of this, it's a very powerful and strong message to send to CA if the players message is 'I do not want to be rested or rotated I want to play every game, if I don't perform drop me'."  

Warne posted his blueprint for the future of Australian cricket on his website on to more than 1 million followers on Twitter.

It came after Warne referred to Howard and selection boss John Inverarity as "muppets" on Monday night following Australia's narrow loss to Sri Lanka in a Twenty20 match at the MCG.
 
WARNE'S FULL STATEMENT

As an emotional, passionate and Australian cricket team supporter (and player) for the best part of 20 years (a proud one too) I, like many others am frustrated on many levels at present.

The next 12 months is the biggest 12 months of cricket for the Australian cricket team in a long, long time. If we do nothing now, we will be where we were 30 years ago.

There needs to be urgent action and a new strategy / plan put in place. The current set up is not working, as the results are showing! What are our world rankings in all forms?

SELECTING OF TEAMS

This is a vey tough gig as everyone in Australia thinks they can pick the best team, it's a subject that's discussed in boardrooms, pubs, schools and so on...

In my view, selecting a player is not based solely on statistics and averages, it can be used as a guide sure, but the objective of a Selector is to look at when players get their runs and wickets, which shows character and a good temperament when under pressure, along with their talent. Then they can trust themselves when making the next step into international cricket. There are many other ingredients that go into selecting a player, but this should be the basis of being selected.

A simple criteria is pick your best team and stick with it in all forms, then the players get used playing together and being with one another on tour, you get to know the person, too much chopping and changing leads to insecurity, players then start to look out for themselves and over their shoulder, this breeds selfishness.

It's also why rotation and resting players will never work. I believe the players should be united, take ownership of this, it's a very powerful and strong message to send to CA if the players message is "I do not want to be rested or rotated I want to play every game, if I don't perform drop me". If this decision comes from the players then CA have to respect that and follow suit on selection accordingly, this will then mean someone is accountable.

In any sport once you have proven to yourself that you are good enough to play at the top level, you know if you perform you will be picked for the next game, that's when you play at your best as you have confidence and are more relaxed.  The team should be selected first, not the captain, the captain will be chosen from the team selected.

We have the best batsmen/captain in world cricket at the moment in Michael Clarke and the spine of a good team with Warner, Watson, Wade, Siddle and Lyon, the rest of the spots are up for grabs in my opinion. Opportunities for players now are there for the taking.

The coach should not be a selector as he should be a confidante for the players, the captain should be though. I could go on here for a while.

So, to my dream team, I could be completely wrong and barking up the wrong tree, but in my opinion if the following people were to fill these roles, then Australian cricket would be in good hands and a great chance of getting back to number 1, as I believe the talent is there in domestic cricket - to have a great Australian team for now and for the future.

SELECTORS

Rod Marsh (Chairman)
Mark Waugh
Damien Martyn
Glenn McGrath

The people who I would put in charge of cricket if available and willing, along with the above selectors (you can give them any title you want) would be:

CEO of cricket or GM: Mark Taylor
Boss man, cricket supremo. The coach, captain and support staff are answerable to Tub. Tub is in charge of all things cricket. The reason why I would choose Mark is that he has an understanding from both sides and is a wonderful communicator as well as being very approachable and respected.

Coach: Stephen Fleming
In my time Stephen was the best opposition Captain we played against and seeing what Stephen has done first hand re his coaching roles along with knowing him well personally, I believe he brings alot to the table, a calmness, an intelligent understanding of the game and a very good cricket brain. He's a good communicator too as well as a good leader of men.

Assistant Coach: Darren "Boof" Lehmann
Boof understands the game as good as anyone and has a great outlook on the game, he's a good balance of old school and what the needs are of the current day player.

Batting Coaches:  Mike Hussey/Michael Bevan
Both respected players and grasp all forms of the game. These guys would be around the team when needed, depending on which form of the game is being played. The coach would liaise with both and give them clarity on when they are required and to be around the group.

Bowling Coaches: Merv Hughes/Bruce Reid
Both have been wonderful players and understand what works and what doesn't, they also were very clever bowlers and have experience, both have a great attitude and a passion for the game too.

Consultant: Ian Chappell
Be on call as a sounding board for any player to talk to at anytime and be around the group when needed. Chaps has been the biggest influence on my cricketing career and understands the game and people. He's understanding of the game is second to none. He was a great all-round cricketer and also the best Captain to have ever played the game from any country.

All the above people are cricket people, not rugby, tennis or from any other sporting code. They all understand the game of cricket, they have lived and breathed the game for a long time and most importantly have the best interests of Australian cricket at heart, along with being super passionate and above all, they just love the game.

SUMMARY

Cricket is a simple game; sure it has room and a place for scientific research and current technology, which can help learn about an opponent, but not instead of using your cricket brain, together they can work hand in hand. Technology can help in recovery, but so can sleep and a common sense approach to recovery.

You cannot re-invent the wheel in cricket, if a player wants to become a better slip fielder, catch more balls, want to get better at bowling a Yorker  practice bowling and hitting a target (Malinga and a shoe) and so on.

It's time to go back to basics.  Too many people are justifying their existence.

I will be discussing these points and Part 2 with James Sutherland in the next week.

I hope this piece opens the floodgates for discussion and a positive outcome.   I'm no guru, just a concerned ex cricketer who loves Australian cricket and is passionate about the white floppy hat!
 

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pump it up before petrol price hike hits

The price of unleaded petrol has been rising as world prices have been falling. Source: HWT Image Library

PETROL prices are going to hit almost 150 cents a litre tomorrow, with motorists encouraged to hit the bowsers today to save money.

Most Caltex and Coles Express outlets are expected to hike up their unleaded petrol price by 16 cents to 149.9cpl, while BP, Caltex Woolworths, Gull and Peak will jump up to 148.9cpl.

Watchdog FuelWatch urged drivers to fill up this afternoon and pay no more than 134.9cpl.

Today's cheapest unleaded petrol:
- 129.9cpl at Gull High Wycombe
- 129.8cpl at Caltex Woolworths Southern River
- 129.9cpl at Gull Joondalup

Visit www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au for more information

22.16 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Rio Tinto boss shafts Seven

New Rio Tinto boss Sam Walsh has resigned from Seven West Media. Source: The Australian

NEWLY appointed Rio Tinto chief Sam Walsh has resigned from the board of Seven West Media.

Mr Walsh was named Rio Tinto's chief executive earlier this month after the shock departure of Tom Albanese.

He was formerly the head of Rio Tinto's iron ore division, based in Perth, but will relocate to London.

Mr Walsh had been a director of the company for seven years.

Seven West chairman Kerry Stokes said Mr Walsh played an "outstanding role" as director.

"We congratulate him on his new role at Rio Tinto and understand the time and geographical constraints that have led to his decision to resign from the board of Seven West Media," Mr Stokes said.

"The board of directors will be actively pursuing the appointment of a new independent director to the company to replace Sam,'' Mr Stokes said.

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Perth dominates latest property figures

PERTH is the top performer for property price growth in the major capitals, according to a new report.

The latest release from data analysts Australian Property Monitors says the Perth housing market rebounded strongly to record a 6.1 per cent rise in the median house price during 2012, beating all the capitals except Darwin (10.2 per cent), where a property resurgence has been underway.

Unit prices in Perth rose by 6 per cent for the year, the report found.

APM puts Perth's current median house price at $560,780 and units at $365,132.

All capital cities recorded house price rises over the December quarter for the first time since March 2010, according to the report.

National median house prices rose by a solid 1.9 per cent over the quarter and units by 1.6 per cent.

However, Sydney has illustrated the resilience of its housing market with median house prices hitting a record - a whopping $656,415 - for the quarter.

"Looking ahead in 2013, activity will depend on the direction of local economies, as it is no coincidence that the better performing housing markets in 2012 reflected better-performing economies - particularly in relation to unemployment levels," said APM senior economist Dr Andrew Wilson.

"With a rising sharemarket and an improving international outlook, the general economic landscape and prospects remain optimistic, which is unequivocal good new for Australia's recovering housing markets."

APM is a national supplier of property price information to homebuyers and sellers, professional real estate agents, mortgage brokers, valuers, banks and financial markets.

It monitors residential property activity from a variety of sources including auctions, government and semi-government agencies, real estate advertising, real estate agents and APM's own researchers.

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