Buchanan confirms World Cup finale

Cricket Australia (CA) today confirmed Australian Team Coach, John Buchanan will not seek re-appointment following April 2007’s International Cricket Council World Cup in the West Indies.

Buchanan, who has been in charge of the Australian team since taking control at the beginning of the 1999-00 summer and has led the side to a formidable record in both the Test and one-day arenas, said the decision was difficult after such an enjoyable time in the role.

“To see players come into the side and fulfill their talent has made this role a truly satisfying one,” Buchanan said.

“I have had a thoroughly enjoyable time in the position and feel I have made a contribution to the overall success Australia has achieved on the world cricketing stage over the past seven years.”

“All cricketers make sacrifices to cricket over their family. I will have the opportunity after the 2007 World Cup to devote more time to my family.”

“There’s a shelf life in coaching and I believe that following the World Cup it will be the appropriate time to hand over the reins to someone new. There’s a good foundation of systems and processes for the next coach to shape the future of the Australian cricket team.”

“My absolute focus at the moment however is the upcoming summer of cricket. I am extremely excited about the challenges we face with the ICC Champions Trophy, the Ashes Test and One-day international series and the 2007 World Cup.”

“This summer is a significant moment in Australian cricket’s history. We are playing three huge tournaments in a brief period of time with a view to winning them all.”

“I look forward to leading the team through this period and then sitting down with Cricket Australia and discussing what contribution I can make in a continued involvement after the World Cup.”

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Sutherland, paid tribute to Buchanan’s success.

“John has had extraordinary success as the national coach during his tenure and has given an enormous amount to the game in this time,” Mr Sutherland said.

“Since taking on the role as coach, Australia has played 267 International matches and won approximately 75% of these games. This is a record that can not be matched by any other current international side and a testament to the role John has played with the team.”

“The success he has helped achieve is a driving force behind cricket’s continued growth in this country and one that we are extremely grateful for.”

Mr Sutherland said Cricket Australia was keen to discuss Buchanan’s continued involvement in Australian cricket at the completion of his tenure and stated the process of appointing a new coach would begin soon.

“Cricket Australia will be instigating a management committee in the next month to start the search process for a new coach.”

Further details regarding this process will be available in due course.

JOHN BUCHANNAN STATISTICS

• John Buchanan took over from Geoff Marsh as Australian Team Coach at the start of the 1999-00 Australian summer.
  
  
• He had immediate success with Australia winning all six Tests of the summer and guiding Australia to victory in 18 of the first 20 international games he was involved.
  
  
• Since November 1, 1999 Australia has played 267 international cricket matches winning 74.53%. Almost 20 points in front of the next team, South Africa who have won 55.04% then Pakistan 53.28%.
  
  
• Australia's winning margin in the Test arena is even larger with Australia's success rate 75.29% from 85 Tests. England is next with 46.15% from 91 Tests.
  
  
• Australia's winning margin in the One-day international arena is 74.18% from 182 games; Pakistan is next on the list with 58.03% from their 193 games.
  
  
• During his reign as Australian coach, 17 players have made their Test debut for Australia. Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee just two amongst the list. 21 Australians have debuted in One-day international cricket during the same period of time.