Australia’s former cricket coach John Buchanan has refused to rule out providing England with his inside knowledge of Australia’s cricketers as he prepares to begin a coaching stint in the UK.
Buchanan has told website cricinfo will take up a short-term coaching job with England later this month and hopes it could lead to a longer deal with his former Ashes opponents.
He will fly to England on June 28 to look at the country’s elite coaching programs and “see what potentially lies ahead”.
Asked if he would help England with his inside knowledge of the Australians ahead of the Ashes series beginning next month, he told cricinfo: “It is my own business who I choose to talk to and what I talk about.”
Buchanan, who coached Australia to a 5-0 home series victory in 2006-07 to regain the Ashes, knocked back the England coaching job earlier this year but has said he is interested in a consultancy role.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get over there and look at the general set-up,” he said.
“I think it’s fair to say that there has been a fair amount of interest from both parties, and I suppose the situation will become clearer in early July.”
As well as the Ashes drubbing, after Australia had lost the series in England in 2005, Buchanan coached Australia to World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007 and twice to record-breaking streaks of 16 Test wins.
vinay verma
Guest
Some of the greatest fielders like Colin Bland ,Paul Sheehan,Norm O Neill,The Chappells,Mark Waugh et al never needed a coach. They practicised and honed their natural skills with repitition. Colin Bland used to get a batter to hit the ball as high as he could and then liie down flat and catch it just before it was going to smash his nose. Get the old slips craddle back and get the over paid primma donnas to put the hard yards in. Mark a spot on a good length in the nets and dont stop till you hit the target a hundred times. Once you get to the Test level coaches are superfluous. The Australian team is probably suffering from paralysis by too much analysis. Keith Miller and Rohan Kanhai frequently went straight from a party to a Test match. They were their own men and had no need for managers or coaches. This simple game is being complicated by "support staff" that are only extras.
Chop
Roar Guru
I agree Conks, a Coach is an over rated position but I think they need a manager who manages the team and specialist batting, bowling and fielding coaches. Surely between the specialist coaches, Manager and Captain they can come up with the tactics they wish to employ?
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
I guess the 'main' coach is overrated. But you do need those specialist people..that really know what they're talking about. The fielding coach Australia has..who is from a baseball background, has definitely helped their fielding. Any spin bowlers can learn a lot from Warnie as well. I say get rid of the 'manager' and just have specialist coaches.
vinay verma
Guest
R, couldn't agree more. Ian chappell has never expressed an interest in coaching. I do recall him saying that he would never coach any team except Australia. However in this age of instant information there are not many secrets. Good players will rise to the top. Coaches are over rated.
R
Guest
I am an attorney. In professions, such as the legal profession, there is an ethical practice that when you obtain confidential when acting for a client, you will never thereafter ever use that information against them from the other side. Surely, there is a moral compass that says that using confidential information against your former clients is unethical.
vinay verma
Guest
Hi Benjamin: Are coaches over rated? Warne and Ian Chappell certainly think so. The teams have a manager as well as a coach. Pray tell what would Nielsen tell Ponting or Clarke or any of the top six about technique. Can you imagine Kirsten having anything helpful to say to Sachin or Dravid.? When they have a baggage master why carry excess baggage? I can understand someone like Tro Cooley but even then not accompanying the team. You need coaches at junior level and at Academies. If you still need a coach when you are an International player theres not much hope for you. Management is getting too precious and its time to set it right. The captain is in charge and should assert his personality. Time for Captains to be Leaders. cheers
vinay verma
Guest
He hasn't exactly covered himself with glory in his two years at the helm of the KKR. In fact he may not even be there next year. He was probably too esoteric for the slap dash of the 20/20. Our Boof with his street smarts seems more the prototype coach IPL franchises will gravitate to. heres hoping he can befuddle the POMS.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
Brett, I'm all for it. I think he'd confuse the English, like he confused (and frustrated) Shane Warne with all his philosophical mumbo jumbo. Making them read 'The Art of War' and recite poetry to each other. Maybe he will tell the English that Brett Lee doesn't like haiku poems, but prefers a sonnet.
Brett McKay
Guest
I don't think anyone begrudges a professional coach the right to earn an income, but does Buchanon have to work with England so soon?!? He's still the "previous" Australian coach!!