Former Australian two-time World Cup-winning head coach, John Buchanan, believes that losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21 to India at home acted as a reality check for the Australian players, as he hailed the hosts' performance in the ongoing Ashes series 2021-22 against England.
Buchanan, a former Australian two-time World Cup-winning head coach, further said that a 1-2 Test series loss to a second-string Indian cricket team at home dented egos and threatened positions of players and support staff, and it eventually proved a turning point for the Aussies.
He also revealed that Australia’s coach, Justin Langer, had told him that they had prepared really well for the Ashes (2021–22) against England at home.
Following the Test series loss to India, Australia won their maiden ICC T20 World Cup in 2021 and have already retained the Ashes urn by thrashing England in the first three Tests, taking a 3-0 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series at home.
Buchanan told The Telegraph: “There’s little doubt that the loss to India at home hurt the team, dented egos, and threatened positions of players and support staff. But turning a team around takes time, and it takes some painful lessons as well.”
He continued, “Talking with Justin (Langer) after the T20 World Cup, he was almost more thrilled about the planning and preparation that went into the tournament than winning the tournament itself. He also felt that they were really well prepared for the Ashes, which is on show now.”
Meanwhile, the former coach termed England’s performance in the ongoing Ashes series woeful while highlighting the areas of concern following their humiliating Ashes loss.
Buchanan noted: “England have been woeful, although a quick look at their results in the longest format over the past two-three years will reveal that they are not a good side. They rely heavily on (Joe) Root, (Ben) Stokes, (James) Anderson, and (Stuart) Broad.”
He concluded, “They have no opening combination with a fragile middle order, and so choose (Jos) Buttler and (Jonny) Bairstow rather than (Ben) Foakes who is the best wicketkeeper.”
