John Buchanan appointed as Australian coach
John Buchanan has been appointed as the new Coach of the Australian team, it was announced today.
Buchanan, 46, will take up a two-year contract with immediate effect and will link up with the Australian side on Tuesday ahead of the First Ansett Australia Test match against Pakistan that begins at the Gabba, Brisbane on November 5.
Buchanan joins the national side after a triumphant five-year spell as Coach of the Queensland Bulls, leading them to two Sheffield Shield successes, in 1994/95 and 1996/97, the first of those ending a 62-year quest for that prize.
In addition, the Bulls also captured two Mercantile Mutual Cups, in 1995/96 and 1997/98 during his time with the State.
Buchanan’s appointment came on Wednesday night when the Directors of the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) agreed to a recommendation from a five-man panel formed to identify a successor to Geoff Marsh.
Marsh, the Australian Coach since 1996, resigned at the end of the recent FOXTEL Australian Cricket Tour of Sri Lanka for personal reasons.
The panel consisted of ACB Chairman Denis Rogers, Chief Executive Malcolm Speed, former Australian Test batsman Wally Edwards, Trevor Robertson of South Australia and the ACB’s Operations General Manager Richard Watson.
Commenting on Buchanan’s appointment, Denis Rogers said: “We have been involved in a lengthy and wide consultation process involving senior players, former coaches and former captains amongst others.
“The aim of that consultation was to ensure we got the right man for the job – and with the appointment of John as coach we are sure we have done just that.
“John has a proven track record not only as an innovative coach but also a winning one – and that mix is just the sort we want as we look to move into the next century maintaining our position as the leading side in world cricket.”
John Buchanan said: “I am absolutely honoured and delighted to accept the position of Australian coach and I am thoroughly looking forward to what may lie ahead.
“Our challenge this summer is to maintain our position as the best side in the world and I can’t wait to start working with Captain Stephen Waugh and the other players in trying to achieve that aim.”
Australian Captain Stephen Waugh said: “This is an exciting time for Australian cricket after our success in this year’s World Cup and I’m sure John will play a key role in helping to ensure we continue to strive to be the best. This is an appointment I very much welcome.”
Buchanan played first-class cricket for Queensland in 1978/79 and minor counties cricket for Cambridgeshire in England in 1978 and 1979.
Australia plays back-to-back Ansett Australia Test series against Pakistan and India this summer before competing with the two sides for the Carlton & United Series in the New Year. A Test and one-day international tour of New Zealand follows
| Test Teams | Australia. |
| Players/Umpires | John Buchanan, Geoff Marsh. |
| Tours | Pakistan in Australia |
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