Mumbai: Australia’s John Buchanan has been one of the most successful coaches of this era. Since he joined the Australian team as a coach, the bar has only risen. It has become one of the toughest team to beat.

After his term ended with the Australian team, he was approached by IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, however, he failed to recreate the same magic in the first edition. Buchnan is in the city for a two-day talent hunt program organised by Omtex for the IPL francisee at the Goregaon Sports Club, where he will select the best players
from U-19 and U-22 category and train them.

“We want to reach out to the grass-root level and build up an infrastructure, pick up talented players for the future. We are going to select a few players and send them to
Australia for training,” Buchanan said. He also revealed that some might get an opportunity to play for KKR in the next season. “If we find good players, they might play for us next season. We are not only looking at the current scenario but also the future.”

The 55-year-old also expressed his views on cricket’s latest debate, the game being included in the Olympics. He said the game needs to clean its image before making in it.
“Cricket ought to initially clean its own backyard and then strive to secure a place in the Olympics,” he added.

Buchanan, who played first class cricket for Queensland, is strictly against the latest referral system which was introduced on them trial basis during the three match Test series between hosts Sri Lankan and India, which hosts won. “I consider it miserable that the decisions of the authorities are questioned. I’m totally against the referral system and T20 cannot be a part of the Olympics in view of the fact that the referral system is against the spirit of Olympics,” he said.

He also praised the new Sri Lankan bowler Ajantha Mendis and wants people to see him on a long term basis. “Mendis is a reminiscent of Johnny Gleeson, despite the fact that he releases the ball much faster. He also has a good change of pace. I don’t know the reason (why India failed against Mendis). As far as Warne was concerned, over a period of time people read him more. But Warne’s ability stood the test of time. It’s a testing time for Mendis. His action has not been studied in detail and he has not been exposed enough,” he said.
Source : DNA