Buchanan won't be tempted by England job

John Buchanan has ruled out coaching England against Australia in this year's Ashes series

Hugh Morris, managing director of England cricket, hinted this week that Buchanan could be targeted to take over from interim coach, Andy Flower, after England's tour of the West Indies. But Buchanan, who enjoyed success in three out of four Ashes series from 2001 to 2006-07, ended speculation of a high-profile defection, stating his preference to continue his consultancy work, as well as his coaching position with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League.

"It is very flattering of the ECB, through Hugh Morris, to suggest my name as a possibility for a role with English cricket, but it is extremely unlikely for me to accept a full-time coaching role ... for a number of reasons," Buchanan said. "I have not chatted with [Morris] about the England coaching job, and in terms of coaching against Australia in the Ashes? No. I wouldn't have thought that was something I'd want to do.

"I have been contacted by [the England national performance centre coach] Dene Hills about coming over to talk with the England Lions and their coaching staff in February-March. I am happy with roles like that, such as when I spoke with the All Blacks with [rugby league coach] Wayne Bennett. That is how I see my role these days, with the exception of the IPL."

Buchanan, who took up his role with Australia in 1999, added that he felt that international coaches have a "shelf life", and that his was reached at the end of the 2007 World Cup. "I am not sure I could travel that road again," he said, "and indeed with another country."

On the subject of the IPL, however, he said he felt privileged to be a part of a competition that, in his opinion, has "the capacity to change cricket, more so than any other single event in cricket's history". "I believe cricket needs change," he added, "and I want to help IPL achieve that change."

Buchanan's comments will come as a disappointment to Morris, who expressed his admiration of the former Australian mentor when discussing the England coaching position in an interview with the Daily Mail.

"John Buchanan of Australia has won 75% of matches at all levels, far more than anyone in the history of the game," Morris said. "We are looking for the best man for the job, someone who can create a positive atmosphere for the team, manage people well, manage coaches well, perhaps coach as well, and I'm confident we will find the right person to do that."

Morris could yet make a move for an Australian coach. Geoff Lawson, the former Australian fast bowler and recently deposed coach of Pakistan, has been sounded out for the job, while the Western Australian coach, Tom Moody, could also emerge as a contender.

Lawson declined to comment on the England coaching position, while Moody denied he had held discussions with the ECB. "I am receiving plenty of media calls, but I can assure you that I am happy coaching in Western Australia," Moody said.

An ECB spokesman dismissed speculation about the coaching vacancy, saying that no short-list for the role would be drawn up until the job had been properly advertised.