From being a formidable opposition coach to getting headlines for his newly implemented tactics in the Indian Premier League (IPL), John Buchanan is not a new name in Indian cricket.
The former Australia team head coach has very often turned out to be an intelligent tactician off the field and managed to change the outcomes of multiple games in favour of the teams he has been coaching.
‘Dented egos’
While talking to The Telegraph, the 68-year-old Australian expressed that the defeat the Aussies had to suffer against India in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy had “dented egos” of the Australia team. According to him, that defeat was so impactful that it had threatened positions of several players and other people belonging to the team management.
“There’s little doubt that the loss to India at home hurt the team, dented egos and threatened positions of players and support staff. But turning a team around takes time, and it takes some painful lessons as well. Talking with Justin (Langer) after the T20 World Cup, he was almost more thrilled about the planning and preparation that went into the tournament than winning the tournament itself. He also felt that they were really well prepared for the Ashes, which is on show now,” Buchanan opined.
‘Woeful’ England team
While talking about the ongoing five-match Ashes Test series, Buchanan felt that the joe Root-led side have been “woeful” in the Test series. According to the former coach of the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), the English team rely too much on skipper Root, all-rounder Ben Stokes and the bowling duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
“England have been woeful, although a quick look at their results in the longest format over the past two-three years will reveal that they are not a good side. They rely heavily on Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Anderson and Stuart Broad. They have no opening combination with a fragile middle order, and so choose Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow rather than Ben Foakes who is the best wicketkeeper,” he explained.
The Joe Root-led side have been utterly humiliated in the current Ashes Test series after losing the first three Test matches against the hosts Aussies.
