Buchanan aiming to 'eliminate' England by AFP

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Event:

ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 6th April 2007

 

John Buchanan, the coach of reigning champions Australia, believes his side will all but "eliminate" old rivals England from the World Cup if they win Sunday's Super Eights clash.

 

Australia are unbeaten in their five matches at the tournament and top the second round standings as they bid for an unprecedented third straight World Cup title.

 

England, by contrast, have yet to beat a Test nation after losing to New Zealand first time out and going down to an agonising two run defeat against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday.

 

They did though manage to beat the world champions 2-0 in Australia during the finals of the CB series in February.

 

"We're keen to make amends for that. But that's past history. Now we're in the West Indies and we've got a very important game for us," said Buchanan.

 

"If we manage to come out on top of that well, we virtually eliminate another side out of the tournament and that's pretty important for us."

 

Buchanan said Australia's win over England in a 13-a-side warm-up match in St Vincent had in part atoned for their shock reverse on home soil.

 

He added: "I still viewed St Vincent as a proper one-day game, although you could play a couple of extra players. I thought we played pretty well there. I think both teams have progressed since the Commonwealth Bank Series."

 

And Buchanan, formerly coach at English county side Middlesex, said England's desperation for victory could work in their favour.

 

"England at this stage are playing knockout cricket. Every game for them is a knockout game and that puts them on the razor's edge.

 

"I think it will be an exceptional contest. Any side that's playing for its life in the tournament, it understands fairly well what it has to do."

 

Looking ahead to Sunday's match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Buchanan said England had a long batting order and identified Ian Bell as a key figure.

 

"Bell's come in at No 3 and played a really pivotal role. He plays well with (Kevin) Pietersen and they've put some good partnerships together."

 

Australia must decide before Sunday's match whether to play an extra batsman or bowler following a left calf injury sustained by all-rounder Shane Watson during last week's 10-wicket win against Bangladesh.

 

Queensland all-rounder James Hopes is on standby but, in the short term, either batsman Brad Hodge or pace bowler Mitchell Johnson could come in at the weekend.

 

Australia could also turn to the medium-pace of batsman Andrew Symonds. But Buchanan wasn't sure if Symonds, who also bowls off-spin, would be fit enough to bowl his quicker deliveries following an arm injury.

 

"We're still undecided," said Buchanan of the choice between a batsman or a bowler.

 

"Both combinations present some strengths and some weaknesses. The upside of all of that is that it is making us re-think although the preference would be to have a fit Shane Watson."

 

And as for Symonds bowling medium-pace, Buchanan said: "I think it's probably a little bit early for him to do that at this stage.

 

"Andrew is Andrew and once he takes the field if he feels he needs to bowl medium-pace, he'll be talking strongly to the captain to say 'give me the opportunity to do it'."

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)