Motor sport enthusiasts around the world will be able to watch the unveiling of a new Toyota Formula 1 car live on their computers this week. This launch of the new TF107 takes place at the Expo XXI site in Cologne, Germany, home of the Panasonic Toyota Racing F1 team, from 12:00 noon to 12:45 on Friday, January 12.
The webcast will be carried on Toyota's public website, www.toyota-f1.com.
Monday, January 08, 2007
WARNE SAYS HE'S HAPPY TO HELP POMS AFTER ASHES DRUBBING
Shane Warne said Monday he would not be averse to helping England recover from their Ashes drubbing, after coach Duncan Fletcher said he would like to enlist the skills of the legendary spinner.
Writing in The Times newspaper, the champion leg-spinner said he had no specific plans on his future career after retiring from Test cricket at the end of Australia's 5-0 whitewash of England last week.
He admitted that the lure of the commentary box was "very attractive" but would love to stay in the game, preferably helping the Aussies remain at the top of the world game.
"Beyond that, I also want to make sure that cricket stays healthy worldwide. So I would not have a problem helping in England, New Zealand, South Africa or anywhere else," he added. "We live on a small planet these days."
But Warne, who admitted it was "strange" to refer to himself as "Shane Warne, the former Test cricketer", said he had received no specific request from Fletcher or the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Warne, who bowed out having taken 708 Test wickets -- 195 of them against England -- said he retained a great affection for England, having played in the English league for Hampshire.
During his time there, he said he had helped a number of England bowlers informally, while England spinner Monty Panesar had sought his advice after the Fifth Test in Sydney last Friday.
"Of course, there is a big difference between an informal chat, where you wouldn't dream of asking for a cent, and actually being employed," he wrote.
"I am not sure what Duncan has in mind, whether it is for me to go around the counties or for bowlers to come to see me at Hampshire.
"As a general comment, if I could help the cause of spin bowling, if I have the time and if it fits in with my family, then I would give it a lot of thought... Whatever I do, I want to do it properly."
Fletcher, who is under fire in the aftermath of England's under-par performance in the Ashes, raised the prospect of Warne crossing cricket's great divide on Friday.
"I'd be happy with him to speak to anyone, there's no doubt about it," he told reporters in Sydney.
Writing in The Times newspaper, the champion leg-spinner said he had no specific plans on his future career after retiring from Test cricket at the end of Australia's 5-0 whitewash of England last week.
He admitted that the lure of the commentary box was "very attractive" but would love to stay in the game, preferably helping the Aussies remain at the top of the world game.
"Beyond that, I also want to make sure that cricket stays healthy worldwide. So I would not have a problem helping in England, New Zealand, South Africa or anywhere else," he added. "We live on a small planet these days."
But Warne, who admitted it was "strange" to refer to himself as "Shane Warne, the former Test cricketer", said he had received no specific request from Fletcher or the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
Warne, who bowed out having taken 708 Test wickets -- 195 of them against England -- said he retained a great affection for England, having played in the English league for Hampshire.
During his time there, he said he had helped a number of England bowlers informally, while England spinner Monty Panesar had sought his advice after the Fifth Test in Sydney last Friday.
"Of course, there is a big difference between an informal chat, where you wouldn't dream of asking for a cent, and actually being employed," he wrote.
"I am not sure what Duncan has in mind, whether it is for me to go around the counties or for bowlers to come to see me at Hampshire.
"As a general comment, if I could help the cause of spin bowling, if I have the time and if it fits in with my family, then I would give it a lot of thought... Whatever I do, I want to do it properly."
Fletcher, who is under fire in the aftermath of England's under-par performance in the Ashes, raised the prospect of Warne crossing cricket's great divide on Friday.
"I'd be happy with him to speak to anyone, there's no doubt about it," he told reporters in Sydney.
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Charity Trust Golf Round, The Day After
The day after the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City, the Sport Trust hold a charity event to raise funds and it seems as if it is very successful, so successful that the Trust was given a check for R2 000 000 at the awards dinner after the round.
But what is it like to play the Gary Player Country Club, the day after twelve of the best gofers in the world have done the very same thing? In a word, tough. In two words, very very very very tough.
In four rounds at the Nedbank Golf Challenge, winner, Jim Furyk shot a total of 276 shots, walked 24km, braved 38 degree centigrade heat and won $1.4 Million for the effort.
I am by no means a great golfer; in fact, I can’t even claim to be a good or average golfer. I am a true beginner. My handicap has just jumped to 23, which is a huge effort I might add. Walking the Gary Player Country Club with my team-mates on the Monday afternoon has got to be one of the greatest golfing days of my life. But let’s start at the start.
I won the media prize after playing in the ‘final round’ on the same course, three weeks before the Challenge. Thanks to a Scramble system and some great playing partners, the four of us won the prize to return to Sun City and play the course at its toughest. Always willing to accept a challenge, I stayed for the extra day after the Challenge and warmed up for the round of my life.
Tee off was at Midday. Who said that only mad dogs and Englishmen went out then? They were right, those two and lucky golfers. Little to no wind and a sun that beats down on you like a troop of drummers with no ears was the order of the day. A good breakfast from the club house and we were off. Standing on the 1st tee, where Jim and Ernie and Charl had stood not twenty four hours ago was an honour. Hitting my 1st drive right onto the 9th fairway wasn’t.
From the 1st shot of the day, my caddie, Ronald, knew he should have chosen another player. Ronald was one of the most patient men I have ever walked with. Always handing me the club I needed, opening a new box of balls when my new Srixon flew short on the 11th hole into the ditch. Always, very kindly, showing me exactly which way my drive was headed, and strangely, he hardly ever pointed in a straight line.
All weekend people were telling me about the 17th hole at the Gary Player Country Club. On a regular day, it's not too tough. A slight right to left dog-leg with a little water at the start, then a long second shot onto a green with water at the front, left and slightly behind. That would be on a regular day. The day after the Nedbank is not a regular day. Not this Monday. This Monday saw a drive having to carry 200m just to make the other side of the dam, 220m to make the fairway. My whole round at the Gary Player that day was leading up to the 17th. Forget about the 550m par 5, 14th hole. That was a breeze, drive down the right, 3 wood to the left, 7 iron short of the waste bunker, wedge into the waste bunker, wedge again into the waste bunker, wedge over the green, chip onto the green, 3 putt. Please, I have seen the best in the world do that.
No worries standing on the tee at 11. The stroke 10 hole used to be the toughest hole on the course. Thanks to my modern ball and great driver, I can easily clear the ravine, unless I slice it the way I did. There went Ronald, risking snakes and ticks to find my ball to the right in those trees.
The par 5 ninth is also a hole that should put dread in any poor golfer, such as myself, but not really. I love it. In fact, I have birdied the 9th, unlike most golfer at the Nedbank, I might add.
The 17th, water water everywhere. The sun was setting straight behind the Lost City. The wind had been picking up all afternoon and was now blowing straight into us. Not only do we have to carry 200m but we also have to drive straight into the wind. We patiently waited as the Sport Trust guys in front, who are carrying their own bags, remember, walk around the water and play their second. We hid behind the advertising boards to get out of the sun, then I am up. Grip, stance, head behind the ball, slow back-swing and RIP!!!! Massive slice, the ball is sailing off to the right but IT CLEARS THE WATER! I am so excited I jump as if I have sunk a birdie on the 18th to win. My playing partner asks if I had intentionally aimed it off right to avoid the water and I admit to having stuffed the shot up. Golf is an honest sport.
After that the 17th got bad. Rough up to my calves, a green that was made of concrete with slopes like you can't believe, but ti didn't matter, I cleared the water.
Six hours after starting the round, my 4-ball sat drinking out Pilsners at the club house, looking out as the workmen were clearing the grandstands that make the Nedbank Gold Challenge. Six hours of lost balls, long drives and short chips. Six hours of sun, wind, sand and laughs. Six hours of walking the very same course that Jim did the day before. Six hours of shooting the same score he did in four days.
Here is to the Nedbank Golf Challenge. Proving that they really are the 12 best gofers in the world.
CLARK COULD BE BIG WINNER OUT OF ASHES SUCCESS
Stuart Clark is set to be a major financial winner out of Australia's thumping Ashes series win as Cricket Australia prepares for its biggest contractual shake-up in a decade.
Clark took the most wickets in the series with 26 at 17.04, pushing his career tally to 47 wickets in nine Test matches.
Press reports Sunday said that as many as seven Cricket Australia (CA) contracts are up for grabs this year following the retirements of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn.
The Sunday Telegraph said former international stars Jason Gillespie, Simon Katich and Michael Kasprowicz are also in danger of slipping off the 25-man contract list.
They were axed from the Test and one-day sides in the past year.
The seven contracts are worth an estimated 2.3 million Australian dollars (1.8 million US) in total earnings, the newspaper said.
Clark's CA contract is set to be improved substantially. He was named man-of-the-match in Australia's 10-wicket win in Friday's final Test, which clinched a 5-0 Ashes clean sweep over England for the first time in 86 years.
A year ago he was on a contract with New South Wales worth around 70,000 dollars, but is likely to rocket into Australia's top-five earners if he can play in the World Cup, starting in March, the newspaper said.
The Sunday Telegraph said the 31-year-old paceman is likely to receive a base CA contract of 500,000 dollars. With match payments, endorsements and bonuses factored in, Clark could pocket as much as 800,000 dollars.
Should Clark play a role in Australia winning the World Cup, he stands to earn an individual bonus of at least 250,000 dollars, taking his earnings potential to one million dollars and beyond.
Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Paul Marsh said Clark was headed for a significant pay rise.
"It depends on how the selectors rank him but he has gone from a fringe player to one of our best bowlers in the past year," said Marsh, whose organisation plays a role in negotiating the wage structure of Australia's top cricketers.
"If he makes the World Cup team, his ranking could improve considerably. The way the system is set up, he's set for a big increase in his contract."
Batsman Michael Hussey is another set for a contract windfall and is expected to become the third highest earner behind Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist, along with all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who reclaimed his Test spot during the Ashes series.
Cricket Australia assesses its top 25 contracted players annually and is expected to issue new contracts in early May, following the World Cup in the Caribbean.
Rising West Australian duo Adam Voges and Chris Rogers, Tasmanian fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and Victoria's leg-spinning captain Cameron White are in the frame to win CA contracts.
Clark took the most wickets in the series with 26 at 17.04, pushing his career tally to 47 wickets in nine Test matches.
Press reports Sunday said that as many as seven Cricket Australia (CA) contracts are up for grabs this year following the retirements of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn.
The Sunday Telegraph said former international stars Jason Gillespie, Simon Katich and Michael Kasprowicz are also in danger of slipping off the 25-man contract list.
They were axed from the Test and one-day sides in the past year.
The seven contracts are worth an estimated 2.3 million Australian dollars (1.8 million US) in total earnings, the newspaper said.
Clark's CA contract is set to be improved substantially. He was named man-of-the-match in Australia's 10-wicket win in Friday's final Test, which clinched a 5-0 Ashes clean sweep over England for the first time in 86 years.
A year ago he was on a contract with New South Wales worth around 70,000 dollars, but is likely to rocket into Australia's top-five earners if he can play in the World Cup, starting in March, the newspaper said.
The Sunday Telegraph said the 31-year-old paceman is likely to receive a base CA contract of 500,000 dollars. With match payments, endorsements and bonuses factored in, Clark could pocket as much as 800,000 dollars.
Should Clark play a role in Australia winning the World Cup, he stands to earn an individual bonus of at least 250,000 dollars, taking his earnings potential to one million dollars and beyond.
Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Paul Marsh said Clark was headed for a significant pay rise.
"It depends on how the selectors rank him but he has gone from a fringe player to one of our best bowlers in the past year," said Marsh, whose organisation plays a role in negotiating the wage structure of Australia's top cricketers.
"If he makes the World Cup team, his ranking could improve considerably. The way the system is set up, he's set for a big increase in his contract."
Batsman Michael Hussey is another set for a contract windfall and is expected to become the third highest earner behind Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist, along with all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who reclaimed his Test spot during the Ashes series.
Cricket Australia assesses its top 25 contracted players annually and is expected to issue new contracts in early May, following the World Cup in the Caribbean.
Rising West Australian duo Adam Voges and Chris Rogers, Tasmanian fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and Victoria's leg-spinning captain Cameron White are in the frame to win CA contracts.
Saturday, January 06, 2007
CRICKET: ENGLAND KEEN TO USE WARNE AS SPIN DOCTOR
England coach Duncan Fletcher said Saturday he would like Shane Warne to cross the great cricket divide and work as a spin doctor for Australia's old Ashes enemy.
The champion leg-spinner played his 145th and final Test in Australia's 10-wicket victory over England in the fifth Sydney Test Friday to claim an 86-year-old 5-0 Ashes clean sweep.
Fletcher, who faces fall-out over England's performance in the series, is keen for Test cricket's leading wicket-taker to impart his skill, knowledge and experience to England spin bowlers.
"I'd be happy with him to speak to anyone, there's no doubt about it," Fletcher told reporters here Saturday.
"Someone of that calibre would be very useful for England to use his experience, at any stage during the (northern) summer or at any stage of a player's career.
"Not only of a young spinner. Imagine the help he could give to a very, very experienced spinner in the side."
Although finished with Test cricket, Warne is committed to playing out the remaining two years of his contract with English county Hampshire, providing England potential access to his wealth of cricket knowledge.
Fletcher said it would not only be spinners who would benefit from Warne's insight.
"Not only a spinner. He's got the capabilities of helping anyone in international cricket on how to play the game," he said.
In a sign England had already begun tapping into Warne's thinking, he and opposing spinner Monty Panesar were seen chatting at length after the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG.
Of Warne's 708 Test wickets, 195 were against England.
Australian Troy Cooley, who was instrumental as bowling coach under Fletcher in England's 2005 Ashes victory, was coaxed back home to help Ricky Ponting's team regain the urn.
Cooley was said to be influential in turning around the bowling fortunes of speedster Brett Lee in the Ashes series.
The champion leg-spinner played his 145th and final Test in Australia's 10-wicket victory over England in the fifth Sydney Test Friday to claim an 86-year-old 5-0 Ashes clean sweep.
Fletcher, who faces fall-out over England's performance in the series, is keen for Test cricket's leading wicket-taker to impart his skill, knowledge and experience to England spin bowlers.
"I'd be happy with him to speak to anyone, there's no doubt about it," Fletcher told reporters here Saturday.
"Someone of that calibre would be very useful for England to use his experience, at any stage during the (northern) summer or at any stage of a player's career.
"Not only of a young spinner. Imagine the help he could give to a very, very experienced spinner in the side."
Although finished with Test cricket, Warne is committed to playing out the remaining two years of his contract with English county Hampshire, providing England potential access to his wealth of cricket knowledge.
Fletcher said it would not only be spinners who would benefit from Warne's insight.
"Not only a spinner. He's got the capabilities of helping anyone in international cricket on how to play the game," he said.
In a sign England had already begun tapping into Warne's thinking, he and opposing spinner Monty Panesar were seen chatting at length after the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG.
Of Warne's 708 Test wickets, 195 were against England.
Australian Troy Cooley, who was instrumental as bowling coach under Fletcher in England's 2005 Ashes victory, was coaxed back home to help Ricky Ponting's team regain the urn.
Cooley was said to be influential in turning around the bowling fortunes of speedster Brett Lee in the Ashes series.
Friday, January 05, 2007
England awakes to final Ashes humiliation
England cricket fans awoke on Friday to the news they had dreaded.
The Ashes were lost and in the most humiliating way possible -- a 5-0 hammering by Australia in a whitewash not seen between the two countries for more than 80 years.
The euphoria that surrounded the England triumph in 2005 began to fade early in the series with a 277-run thrashing in the first test in Brisbane.
The first ball bowled by England paceman Steve Harmison, wide, wayward and ugly, remains etched in the memory.
But open any England supporter's heart and you may well find the word Adelaide engraved.
In hindsight, they could have batted the Australians out of the match there instead of declaring the first innings at 551 for six and gone to the third test at least only one down knowing the Australians would have to win two of the last three matches to regain the Ashes.
Instead, the home side fought back brilliantly and then blew the opposition away for just 129 in their second innings. It was a textbook example by England of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Psychologically, the damage was done and from then on in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney it was downhill all the way. Painful defeat upon painful defeat, collapse upon collapse.
So why did it all go wrong?
NO DOUBT
Former England batsman Geoff Boycott was in no doubt, putting it down to lack of "bottle" (mental strength under pressure).
He told BBC Radio: "Quite frankly, they were totally outplayed. Whenever the questions were being asked of England, they have faltered and they have not been mentally strong enough or technically good enough to hold the Australians at bay."
Other critics point to lack of preparation with only seven days cricket on Australian soil before the first test.
True, England were without injured skipper Michael Vaughan and paceman Simon Jones and the loss of opener Marcus Trescothick with a stress-related illness nine days before the Brisbane game was a big blow.
With neither wicketkeeper Geraint Jones and Chris Read contributing much-needed runs, the England tail was long and fluffy. Friday's capitulation in the final test in Sydney was typical of the genre.
Arguably, the knowledge the tail would not bail them out put extra pressure on the top and middle order.
They were already having to cope with a fired-up Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath and the admirable Stuart Clark who topped the wicket-takers on 26.
BIG SCORES
Eight of the Australian players averaged more than 40 with the bat, against two by England. Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting were often a joy to watch and big scores flowed all round.
For England, only Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Alastair Cook made centuries.
Australia's four front-line bowlers all averaged under 34 a wicket. England's best was just over 37 by Matthew Hoggard with the errant Harmison coming in at a very costly 61.4.
Many critics felt the talismanic Monty Panesar should have played long before he was finally called on in Perth in preference to fellow spinner and useful bat Ashley Giles.
Panesar responded with 10 wickets at just under 38 but despite some entertainment lengthened the tail with just 35 runs in six innings.
England captain Andrew Flintoff thinks his young side may benefit from the thrashing endured over the last few weeks and the experience will help them in the next series in 2009.
Happily for him, Australia will be without Warne and McGrath who retired after Friday's victory along with openers Justin Langer and Damien Martyn.
But Ponting warned: "I've got a good feeling about the next crop of players. I'm excited about that.
"When you get young players in the squad there's excitement around. With the nucleus of this group it will still be together and I can see us being a very dominant team."
Bookmakers William Hill took note, quoting Australia at a conservative 14-1 to repeat the whitewash in 2009 but also offering 500-1 against the Australians holding the Ashes until the next century.
The Ashes were lost and in the most humiliating way possible -- a 5-0 hammering by Australia in a whitewash not seen between the two countries for more than 80 years.
The euphoria that surrounded the England triumph in 2005 began to fade early in the series with a 277-run thrashing in the first test in Brisbane.
The first ball bowled by England paceman Steve Harmison, wide, wayward and ugly, remains etched in the memory.
But open any England supporter's heart and you may well find the word Adelaide engraved.
In hindsight, they could have batted the Australians out of the match there instead of declaring the first innings at 551 for six and gone to the third test at least only one down knowing the Australians would have to win two of the last three matches to regain the Ashes.
Instead, the home side fought back brilliantly and then blew the opposition away for just 129 in their second innings. It was a textbook example by England of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Psychologically, the damage was done and from then on in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney it was downhill all the way. Painful defeat upon painful defeat, collapse upon collapse.
So why did it all go wrong?
NO DOUBT
Former England batsman Geoff Boycott was in no doubt, putting it down to lack of "bottle" (mental strength under pressure).
He told BBC Radio: "Quite frankly, they were totally outplayed. Whenever the questions were being asked of England, they have faltered and they have not been mentally strong enough or technically good enough to hold the Australians at bay."
Other critics point to lack of preparation with only seven days cricket on Australian soil before the first test.
True, England were without injured skipper Michael Vaughan and paceman Simon Jones and the loss of opener Marcus Trescothick with a stress-related illness nine days before the Brisbane game was a big blow.
With neither wicketkeeper Geraint Jones and Chris Read contributing much-needed runs, the England tail was long and fluffy. Friday's capitulation in the final test in Sydney was typical of the genre.
Arguably, the knowledge the tail would not bail them out put extra pressure on the top and middle order.
They were already having to cope with a fired-up Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath and the admirable Stuart Clark who topped the wicket-takers on 26.
BIG SCORES
Eight of the Australian players averaged more than 40 with the bat, against two by England. Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting were often a joy to watch and big scores flowed all round.
For England, only Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Alastair Cook made centuries.
Australia's four front-line bowlers all averaged under 34 a wicket. England's best was just over 37 by Matthew Hoggard with the errant Harmison coming in at a very costly 61.4.
Many critics felt the talismanic Monty Panesar should have played long before he was finally called on in Perth in preference to fellow spinner and useful bat Ashley Giles.
Panesar responded with 10 wickets at just under 38 but despite some entertainment lengthened the tail with just 35 runs in six innings.
England captain Andrew Flintoff thinks his young side may benefit from the thrashing endured over the last few weeks and the experience will help them in the next series in 2009.
Happily for him, Australia will be without Warne and McGrath who retired after Friday's victory along with openers Justin Langer and Damien Martyn.
But Ponting warned: "I've got a good feeling about the next crop of players. I'm excited about that.
"When you get young players in the squad there's excitement around. With the nucleus of this group it will still be together and I can see us being a very dominant team."
Bookmakers William Hill took note, quoting Australia at a conservative 14-1 to repeat the whitewash in 2009 but also offering 500-1 against the Australians holding the Ashes until the next century.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Loveday good for Duzi
The paddling world was shocked in December when one of
Loveday Zondi was assaulted by a man who threw a rock at him resulting in a dislocated shoulder. Doctors at the time were of the opinion that the injury would put paid to his chances of competing, let alone winning, the Dusi which takes place on January 18, 19 and 20.
All doubts were allayed when Zondi put in a record performance at the weekly Umzinyathi time trial at Shongweni dam yesterday.
Canoeing pundits who watched the amazing performance were stunned that anyone could break world canoe marathon champion, and multiple winner of the Dusi, Hank McGregors best time.
“My sponsors, Kayak Centre, delivered my new boat and wanted to see me test it. I didn’t know the way and followed Kevin White on the first lap. It was only on the second lap that I really went for it – the boat and I clicked immediately” said a visibly excited Zondi.
Zondi took over a minute off McGregors time and no-one was more surprised than Zondi himself.
“It was only 5 weeks ago that I thought that I wouldn’t be taking part in the Dusi, now I am feeling confident especially after beating Hank’s time” said the top black Dusi finisher of all time when he placed 3rd 2 years ago.
The question that canoeists were asking this morning was – can this be the year that a black paddler wins the Dusi for the first time. Hansa Powerade Dusi chairman, Cameron Mackenzie certainly believes that it could well be that 2007 sees the end of white domination of the Dusi
“I have watched in amazement over the last few years how well the development initiatives are going. Seven years ago there was not a black paddler in the top 50 and 2 years ago we witnessed and unbelievable 3rd place finish by Zondi. I really think he has got it and there is huge support for him to do in a little over two weeks time”.
Due to lots of rain in the past few weeks, late entries are flooding in at www.dusi.co.za as paddlers revel in the full rivers during training sessions.
The Hansa Powerade Dusi takes place on January 18, 19 and 20 from Pietermaritzburg to
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