Sweeping changes made under the Argus Review have left Australia vulnerable ahead of their Test series against New Zealand, former national coach John Buchanan says.
And Buchanan – now New Zealand’s director of cricket – wondered how captain Michael Clarke would handle his dual role as selector, saying he faced some “interesting calls” in coming months.
Buchanan was in Brisbane on Tuesday to speak with the New Zealand team at their first training session ahead of the Test series which begins at the Gabba on December 1.
He backed the lowly Black Caps to spring an upset despite Australia coming into the series buoyed by their gutsy two-wicket second Test win in South Africa.
Buchanan said the changes implemented since the Argus Report into Australian cricket would take time to gel, giving the rank outsider visitors rare hope Down Under.
“There’s definitely a vulnerability there,” Buchanan said.
“That’s not just got to do with performance – there are a lot of things happening within Australian cricket at the moment behind the scenes which are going to take some time to gel.
“There’s a new coach, new selection group – and a new captain as selector which is going to be pretty interesting having someone in the dressing room from the selectors sitting and watching you.”
Pressed on Clarke’s dual role as selector, Buchanan said: “It will obviously depend on how Michael Clarke handles that role.
“He is going to make some pretty interesting calls over the next six months over a few players in that dressing room.”
Former captain Ricky Ponting, veteran keeper Brad Haddin, opener Phil Hughes and mercurial quick Mitchell Johnson had all been under pressure to perform before responding in the second Test at Johannesburg.
But it seems they face another test against the Kiwis.
Buchanan enjoyed a stellar eight-year stint as Australian coach, winning a record 16 straight Tests and claiming two World Cups.
He seems to have New Zealand believing they are world beaters, despite winning just one of their past 11 Tests – a narrow victory against lowly Zimbabwe.
Veteran Black Caps seamer Chris Martin believed the changing of the guard in Australian cricket “opens up a few windows for us.”
“It makes us even more determined to come with the right attitude and realise it is a good opportunity to put pressure on a team that has probably underperformed in the last 12 months or so,” Martin said.
“Our public has had to put up with a bit over the years so, to play well against Australia over here, has been a long time coming – hopefully we can put that together.”
New Zealand will play Australia A in a four-day tour match starting in Brisbane on Thursday before the first Test.
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