Buchanan helping England prepare for Ashes

LONDON - The architect of Australia’s thumping 5-0 victory in the last Ashes series Down Under in 2006/07, former coach John Buchanan, was in England last week for meetings with England officials and members of the team coaching staff about their Ashes strategy and planning. n a revelation bound to shock Australian cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board invited Buchanan after recently losing his advisory contract with Cricket Australia and having worked briefly with the England Lions squad in New Zealand last winter, The Telegraph reported. iven Buchanan’s intimate knowledge of this Australian side it will still be seen as an act of treachery by many Australians.

Buchanan, who has just finished an unsuccessful time with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, was used by the recruitment company Odgers Ray and Berndtson last winter to help identify the necessary qualities in the search for England team director that ended with Andy Flower.

And this development comes as an interesting point of contrast at a time when English cricket is being severely criticised for allowing Australian players invaluable practice ahead of the Ashes.

It is thought Buchanan will speak again to England officials before the Ashes begins on July 8 in Cardiff. (ANI)