Zeroes: John Buchanan

 
We don't like John Buchanan much here at the Reverse Sweep. It's not because he was coach of the all-conquering Australian cricket side from 1999-2007, although it admittedly doesn't help. No, it's simply because we think he is a moron.

'Buck' seems to think he is some sort of coaching genius in the mould of an Alex Ferguson. Granted he did well with Queensland, but we doubt that Middlesex (or Kolkata Knight Rider) fans would agree after Buchanan's disastrous spell in charge in 1998 when they finished 17th in the County Championship amidst accusations that he had over-complicated what was supposed to be a simple game.

When he became Australian coach the year after he probably quickly realised that in terms of working with the players to improve their skills there wasn't much he could add. So instead he opted for the over-complicated approach he had used without success at Middlesex - for example in his interpretation of the teachings of the warlord Sun Tzu. Even an avowed supporter of Buchanan such as Steve Waugh said in his autobiography (yes, we read it and lived to tell the tale) that he didn't have the foggiest what Buck was on about.

Let's be honest a three legged mute dog (or even Peter Moores) could have been coach of that Australian side and the results probably wouldn't have been any different. Shane Warne's assertion that a 'coach' was something that you get to the ground in showed exactly what he thought of Buchanan's contribution.

What prompted our mirth now though is Buchanan's comments this week about Kevin Pietersen, whom he described as a potential 'major problem' for England during the Ashes. He went on to say that England "seem to have a new mental toughness and they are more consistent, except for the odd glitch, which is mainly Pietersen."

We wouldn't normally mind an Australian getting in a cheap shot ahead of an Ashes series, but given that Buchanan has been employed by the ECB as a consultant (whatever that means) for the upcoming series, we're not sure that what he is doing conducting psychological warfare against his own side - or at least the sdie that is paying him. His comments sound more like a double-agent than a consultant and in our opinion the ECB are wasting money yet again.

For being a moron and talking absolute garbage, John Buchanan is a Reverse Sweep zero. In fact, just Buck Off, John.

Where next?

Read about all our Heroes & Zeroes

1989, McGrath & other wild Ashes predictions

Seven reasons why the Poms love Shane Warne

 

Comments

[Mayank Jhaveri]

I agree with you David.Buchanan was lucky to to win two world cups with Australia as a coach.The team had just too many greats.He failure with KKR in IPL also suggests he complicates the game to much.They had a coach for every department,even wicketkeeping,and did miserably.

For me,Dav Whatmore is one of the best coaches in cricket right now.He did really well with a mediocre Lankan team in '96 WC and with Bangladesh in '07 WC.Though he too,hasn't been successful with KKR.I guess,KKR is just too shit for even him.

Cheers.

[greyblazer]

A few things about Buchanan.

Half of the Aussie team never liked Buchanan's methods and that includes Warne, Mark Waugh, McGrath and Martyn yet ECB employed him.

Not just Warne but even Mark Waugh after listening to crap about strategies is believed to have said simple line and length used to work.

Buchanan has lots of theories. One theory is if a team bowls three maiden overs at the start of an innings a wicket would fall. Everyone knows that if you bowl maiden overs batsmen can get out under pressure lol.

Finally he is known to create divisions. Ask KKR and now his comments on KP.

[Mayank Jhaveri]

Yes Gb,

Having read Steve Waugh's autobiography,I am aware of how he went around with his tactics.One major thing that was talked about in it,was public criticism by Buchanan about Warne.It certainly pissed off Warne,who was anyways having an average year.

[The Reverse Sweep]

Mayank and greyblazer - it seems I am not alone in my loathing of Buck. Perhaps the most over-rated coach in any sport ever - well by himself anyway!

[Pedro]

Really enjoying this blog.

I agree with all you have said, Australia have a history of selecting shite coaches. I'm Australian myself so I'm not having a go.

Warne had it right when he said that a coach(@ this level) can't tell you how to bowl a leg break or play a cover drive, so what's the point.

Captains are important, coaches aren't. Except possibly troy cooley. Buchanan is a nobody who wants publicity.