Buchanan lays into England

Buchanan guided Australia to defeat of England

Australian cricket coach John Buchanan has attacked English cricket and the attitude of its players.

Buchanan, who helped mastermind a 4-1 Ashes series win, said in The Sunday Times that a number of players did not belong in the county game.

He added that Darren Gough's rivalry with Andy Caddick served to weaken England's bowling focus.

Buchanan, who spent a year at the helm of Middlesex, urged the England and Wales and Cricket Board not to increase the number of county fixtures for financial reasons.

Gough's rivalry with Caddick dented his effectiveness

While applauding the introduction of central contracts, the two-tier structure in county cricket, new coaching and youth programmes he warned against more county matches.

"Undermining these initiatives, though, is an archaic playing system, a true servant of mediocrity," Buchanan said.

"The ECB must take the path that promotes less cricket, rather than allowing the schedule to be squeezed by more cricket in an attempt to meet the cost/revenue equation.

"The ECB has begun the process of improving England's capacity to play consistently well.

"This can be accelerated by reducing the amount of cricket played.

"The flow-on effects will be to lift the quality of cricket played, by filtering out players and a culture that promote mediocrity and blunt development.

It was Gough v Caddick, rather than Gough and Caddick v Australia

John Buchanan
Australian coach

"Skills will increase, weeding out the three or four 'imposters' who exist in every first-class county."

He also raised questions about Gough's focus during the Ashes series saying that he was more intent of beating Caddick than Australia.

"This rivalry seemed to be on show in each Test. It was Gough v Caddick, rather than Gough and Caddick v Australia.

"I believe this was one reason for Gough's inconsistent series."

Buchanan also questioned the bonding in the England dressing room, even after their epic win on the final day at Headingley.

"About an hour after the game (wicketkeeper) Adam Gilchrist went to the England dressing-room to chat with their players about a great moment for English cricket.

"He found (century-making batsman) Mark Butcher and two other players. The rest had already left."