The Former Australian coach on the India-South Africa Test series, Australia's downfall and more.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A close-up with John Buchanan

A close-up with John Buchanan, former National Coach of Australian Cricket Team and currently the coach of the Kolkata franchise in the Indian Premier League. 

What was the major reason for Australia losing the CB finals ?

There were three major reason for Australia to lose the finals

a) They were distracted by the off-field controversies as they were unable to handle it as well as they normally would have done

b) The Australian top order didn't perform to its potential, they didn't provide enough partnerships to give the team a good platform as they have been doing that in the past.

c) The Indians played a consistent cricket through out the series, which made it difficult for the Australians to dominate any game.

Had Adam Gilchrist been dropped, would that made a difference in the outcome of the series ?

No, it was selectors call to have him for the entire series as Gilchrist was finishing off. It was in the interest of Brad Haddin's career that he would start his Test career either in Pakistan or in West Indies.

Steve Waugh suggested in his column that the Australians lacked a 'killer instinct', do you agree ?

I don't think any Australian team lacked killer instinct, in terms of ability they are the best team in the world. There were moments when their key players like Hayden, Gilchrist, Ponting, & Clarke didn't fire, although they had few good performances but were unable to establish a hold through out the series

After losing the CB Series will there be whole sale changes in the ODI side, would they go for youth like the Indians have done ?

There were will be at least two forced changes. Other than that there won't be any changes. The opening spot is up for grabs, along with this a spot for a spinner. Brad Hogg was more than handy player for the Australians in the last few years, it would be difficult to find someone who can fill his role. The bowling and fielding has been good but probably not up to the standard they had set themselves in the last few years. Inconsistency in the batting with key players not performing when it mattered has led them to lose the series. If this inconsistency remains for some more time than the selectors might start worrying and then look for whole changes.

Is too much cricket played by the Australians this season ?

Ricky suggested that key players require to take a break in the middle of the series, and majority of the players are playing both forms of the game. We need to manage the work load of these players and try to keep the best interest of all the players so that they can be in great shape and play as long as possible.

Did Australians, especially the top order take Praveen Kumar lightly and why were they unable to handle him ?

The top order always tries to dominate the bowling attack, and in this case they may have been a little bit of adventurous so early in their innings. Its been a while that the Australians have been playing aggressively irrespective of wickets falling on consistent basis. Also it is a fact that most of the batsmen in world cricket are not very good against swing and seam bowling and Australians are no exception. On the other Praveen Kumar has the ability to swing the ball both ways and with his skidding action he is very deceptive, this will take some time for a batsmen to adjust

What do you expect from the forthcoming India-South Africa series ?

It will be an interesting series both the teams. South Africa are a very tough side and there confidence is very high after winning in Pakistan and now in Bangladesh, those win in sub-continent will give them enough confidence to post a threat to the Indians. For India, Ishant Sharma's fitness will be the key to the series and finding a right attack build around him will obviously be important. India had a very successful but a long tour of Australia and before that they had a tough Pakistan series which they managed to win.

Will age and fitness become a hurdle for the Indians ?

Yes probably, lot of it will hinge upon the mental and physical weariness of the Indian side to combat a tough unit the South Africans will present. Most of the players are coming off from a long tour hence there might be an issue of fitness, but at the same time there are few seniors who already are back in India.

India is having dilemma with the openers, there was Karthik, Dravid, now Sehwag and there is Gambhir who has made a great comeback in ODIs, he too will be running for opener's place

It is up to the selectors to choose the right-combination, obviously Wasim Jaffer was not successful because of the extra bounce in Australia, however in India it might favor him because of lack of bounce. Virender Sehwag played very well in the last couple of Test matches, and there is Gambhir doing good in ODI also he is a left-hander. It will be up to the selectors to decide which is the best balance side for the Test series, and it would be interesting to see a) whom they pick b) how successful the combination is c) will the selectors continue with them through out the series

If India loses this series they will fall from number 2 Ranking to number 5, whom are backing to win the series ?

No comments on who is going to win, but obviously it will be closely contested series.