Buchanan: 'Australia are on the right track'

Australia's coach John Buchanan says the one-day world champions are still on course to peak in time for the Ashes - despite an unusually poor run of results since arriving in England.

Australia, who take on England in the second match of the NatWest Challenge at Lord's on Sunday, lost Thursday's opener at Headingley by nine wickets - the biggest winning margin by a team batting second in 35 years of one-day games between the two countries. That followed last month's NatWest Series where Australia suffered a stunning defeat against Bangladesh in Cardiff.

During that tournament they both won and lost against England before tying last Saturday's Lord's final after letting the hosts off the hook when the had collapsed to 33 for 5. But Australia will be buoyed by having won the last eight Ashes Test series against England. "We are on the right track," Buchanan told reporters at Lord's on Saturday. "Part credit to England, but it's more in our house to make sure that's rectified. We could choose to make it a problem but I think the calibre of this side will choose to make it a challenge. I'm looking forward to the Tests. It's now our time, our turn to deliver the goods."

Marcus Trescothick led England's victorious chase at Headingley with an unbeaten 104, his first international hundred in any form of cricket against Australia after the likes of Glenn McGrath had previously capitalised on uncertainty outside off-stump and a lack of footwork. But Buchanan maintained flaws in Trescothick's technique remained.

"In the first ten overs, there were 16 plays and misses including two chances, including him caught off a no-ball," he said. "There's enough evidence to suggest what we said before was accurate."

The experienced fast bowler Jason Gillespie has had a tough time so far, his lack of success summed up by ten wicketless overs for 66 runs on Thursday. After the game Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Gillespie might be left out at Lord's although a thigh injury to the pace-bowling allrounder Shane Watson has now made that less likely.

"Form is often confused with results," Buchanan went on. "Form is to do with technique, physical approach, mental preparation and tactical skills. At the end of all that, you get some results. What he [Gillespie] hasn't got at the moment is results but he hasn't lost his ability."

More encouraging for Australia has been the return to cricket of legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne after personal difficulties. On Saturday, in his first match back against Middlesex, Warne scored his second first-class hundred of his career and second this season. "I never had any doubt Shane would be mentally ready for the upcoming series," Buchanan said. "He's obviously enjoying the English summer at the moment and no doubt he'll send down a few overs which will keep the mind, body and spirit in good shape for when he joins us in a couple of days' time."