Buchanan recommends Fletcher's Ashes diary

Duncan Fletcher's Ashes diary has become required reading for the Australians as they study England's tactics in an attempt to win back the Ashes. John Buchanan said in the Sydney Morning Herald Fletcher's Ashes Regained: the coach's story was "a valuable piece of information".

"I think that all of us, and I'm included in that, got too caught up in the emotion of playing an Ashes series last year," Buchanan said in the paper. "Those were observable throughout the Ashes by our opponents and they used that to good effect.

"There are important lessons there. I've made the book mandatory reading for our coaches to get an insight into what happened last year. It's reflective reading in that sense, but we can use that to build on for this series."

Fletcher's England were able to upset the Australians regularly with tactics varying from reverse-swing, bowling around the wicket and employing high-quality substitute fielders. The most revealing story about Fletcher during the Ashes came when he offered a rare smile at Ricky Ponting after he was run out by the replacement Gary Pratt at Trent Bridge. Ponting reacted wildly to Fletcher's grin and was later fined $10,000.

"I think it provides a very interesting insight into Fletcher as a coach," Buchanan said of the book. "He discusses his own philosophies and also gives his thoughts on the current players and the way they play the game in England."