Buchanan to stay as coach at Middlesex (25 Aug 1998)

25 August 1998

Buchanan to stay as coach at Middlesex

By Geoffrey Dean

JOHN Buchanan, Middlesex's Australian coach, is to stay on at the club for another year despite his recent hints that he might be leaving at the end of the season. He confirmed yesterday that he would be taking up his option to extend his contract by another year.

Buchanan went public at the end of last month with his feelings of frustration after Middlesex's unexpected NatWest quarter-final defeat against Hampshire, which effectively destroyed any hopes of ending a five-year trophy drought at the club.

Buchanan, incensed that no team meeting had taken place before the game, criticised his players for lack of preparation, adding: "If we want to continue as we are, then fine, but basically they don't need me to be involved because anyone can do that sort of job."

Extensive discussions between Buchanan and club officials followed and, although continuing poor form led to a crushing defeat at Hove and a more predictable one at Leicester last week, differences appear to have been ironed out.

"I'm very keen to come back and Middlesex want me to," Buchanan declared. "It's a case of finishing off the season and filling in the small print. Things are moving in the right direction."

Buchanan, who returns home next month to coach for a fifth and final season as coach of Queensland, who he has guided to two Shield titles, is clear about his objectives for Middlesex. "I'm not sure if players here understand what is required to play quality first-class and one-day cricket for a whole season.

"There has been a reluctance to embrace change, but I now realise that I can't implement a number of things I'm used to doing at home. There needs to be adjustment on both sides."

Such a concession, that Australian methods cannot fully be reconciled with the relentless demands of an English season, should lead to a rapprochement with those players who felt Buchanan's demands on their time were excessive, particularly in the second half of the summer. His stated off-season expectations of the players, both technical and physical, will, however, ensure they have a busy winter.

Buchanan's decision to stay means that Mike Gatting's long-held ambitions to take over as coach after his retirement next month will have to go on hold. A role as batting coach could still be found for him, or he could hire himself out to other counties as Graham Gooch has done.

The England and Wales Cricket Board yesterday announced a three-year deal with the Australian television channel Seven Network to show the Ashes series in England in 2001.

The network will also cover the series between England and New Zealand next year and the Tests and one-dayers between England and West Indies in the year 2000.

Australia's cricket authorities, meanwhile, are taking expert government advice to ensure the forthcoming tour of Pakistan, due to start on Sept 23, can take place safely following the US missile strike in nearby Afghanistan.

Eddie Hemmings has been sacked by Nottinghamshire for the second time in his career. The former England spinner, released by the county after 13 years as a player in 1992, has now been dismissed as bowling coach after just 18 months.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)