Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 494 Sat. October 15, 2005  
   
Sports


Buchanan stays on


Cricket Australia (CA) said Friday it had re-appointed John Buchanan as Australian team coach to a new contract through to after the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

Buchanan's contract with CA was due to expire this month but there has been a raging debate over his influence on the Australian team during the recent 2-1 Ashes series loss to England.

One of Buchanan's fiercest critics has been former Australian Test captain and now television commentator Ian Chappell, who urged skipper Ricky Ponting to seek guidance from senior players rather than Buchanan.

"Before the next World Cup we want to get the Ashes back so John will be in control to give him an opportunity to turn around what happened in England this year," CA chairman Bob Merriman said at the announcement during the Super Test here Friday.

A six-man committee, chaired by former Test captain Allan Border, is reviewing the state of the game in Australia at the behest of CA.

"They have not completed that review, but we thought it was important at this time regarding the renewal of John Buchanan's coaching contract and we will be making further statements on the outcome of the review commitment in due course," Merriman said.

Buchanan, 52, said he was relieved and happy with the conclusion of negotiations over his renewed contract and thanked the support of the players and CA.