Buchanan will complicate things for England, says Warne

SYDNEY - Former Australian spin wizard Shane Warne has taken a swipe at his former coach John Buchanan saying that his presence in the England team will create more chances for Australia to win the Ashes.

Buchanan will work with England and Wales Cricket Board’s elite coaching programmes and will also oversee the progress of their under-19 and second-string Lions teams. His time in England coincides with Australia’s tour match against the Lions from July 1-4, just four days before the first Ashes Test in Cardiff

“I think that is a great move, because that means we have more of a chance. Hopefully Buck will be doing his stuff, overcomplicating things, I reckon that gives our chances a big boost and make our boys more hungry,” Warne was quoted as saying by the Courier Mail.

Warne has been a vocal critic of Buchanan’s coaching methods, which included a commando-style camp before the Ashes series in 2005.

“Hopefully he gets them all in boot camp and Freddy Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen and the rest hurt their knees.”

Warne did stop short of saying Buchanan cost Australia the Ashes series in 2005.

“At the time Buck didn’t understand, it was the first time he was in situation where we weren’t playing as well as we liked,” he said.

“I think it was more credit to England for playing good cricket,” he said.

Warne, who leads Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, says Australia’s early exit from the World Twenty20 could be a blessing in disguise.

“I wish we were still in it, it’s a wonderful game to play, it’s an important form of the game,” he said.

“The positive is our guys can prepare for the Ashes and just rely on those warm-up games and all the talking, focus and preparation will be on the Ashes.”