Photo Credit: Facebook Photo of Buchanan Success Coaching, Instagram Photo of @jayshah220988
Former Australian coach John Buchanan congratulated Jay Shah on his appointment as ICC Chairman. Buchanan expressed hope that Shah, the current BCCI Secretary, will prioritize all three formats of international cricket amidst the prominence of T20 franchise cricket.
Buchanan, who coached Australia to World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007, made these remarks during the launch of the multi-sports foundation program ‘Ready Steady Go Kids’ at CP Goenka International School, in partnership with Sports Gurukul.
Shah, elected unopposed as ICC Chairman, will begin his term on December 1, 2024. He has served as BCCI Secretary since October 2019 and as Chairman of the Asian Cricket Council since January 2021.
“Congratulations to him. It is wonderful from BCCI’s point of view to have him there. Cricket needs his great decision-making at the ICC level. There have been talks of getting rid of ODIs in the age of popular T20Is, T20s, T10 competitions and matches. There are plenty of things that can entice quality players to play for a club rather than their country. I do not think this is healthy, representing your country is your highest privilege. I hope Shah will be able to work on it along with the ICC administration and make all three formats of the game equal in priority, “ Buchanan said.
Regarding the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series against India, starting on November 22 this year, Buchanan stated that the ability to adapt to conditions and maintain peak physical and mental performance will determine the winner.
“All the tests are happening in a matter of seven weeks. There are five Tests. In the Australian team, there are one or two players under 30 years of age while for India there are three or four such players. It is a battle of veterans really. This series will test everybody both physically and mentally and whoever is better in these two aspects, will be the victor,” Buchanan said.
He also noted that Australian pitches have recently become more bowler-friendly and expressed enthusiasm for watching Indian pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Buchanan remarked on Bumrah’s bowling style:
“There is no secret that Australian bowlers have become more bowler-friendly as of late. To play in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide under lights, there are things in favor of bowlers, Bumrah is world-class, and have enjoyed watching him. He does not have an extensively long run-up, but generates his pace through his action at the crease. That is a good thing, it does not tax the body too much.”
Buchanan highlighted the strength of both teams’ bowling attacks:
“Australia has got a powerful line-up, with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. There is also Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh with their pace bowling. For India, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj will be there, and so will Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Pace and bounce will always be there in Australia and batters will have to find a way to deal with it,” he added.
Bumrah has an impressive record in Australia with 32 wickets at an average of 21.25 and best figures of 6/33.
The series continues with the second Test, a day-night match at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10. The third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18. The Boxing Day Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.
