‘Oz have learnt to live sans stars’

John Buchanan was the mastermind behind Australia conquering their Last Frontier in 2004. The former coach talks to Vijay Tagore on the chances of Ricky Ponting’s team in their forthcoming series against India

On view of the present Australian vis-à-vis the team that conquered the last frontier.
I feel the Australian selectors have picked a side that has the ability - mentally and physically - to win the series in India. The biggest difference from the side I carried to India in 2004 was the wealth of experience at our disposal. Shane Warne was a key factor in 2004 series. This time the Australians have picked relatively inexperienced spinners and pacers who have not played Tests in India. But I do believe, as I understand the Australian selectors too, that this bunch of players can leave an impact on the series.

On absence of players like Glenn McGrath, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn apart from Warne who were key players in Australia’s 2-1 victory
Look Australia have ceased to think that their team’s fortunes depend on one or a group of individuals to get them victories. No team can achieve success consistently over a long period of time relying on a group of individuals. I surely think this present team can do what the 2004 side had done. Having said that I expect Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden to be one hundred per cent fit. The spinners are completely new to Indian conditions but I know Jason Krejza is a very good off-spinning all-rounder who can make an impression.

On players in the Australian squad that India should watch out for in the series.
The Australians do not expect Ricky Ponting to do all the scoring and Brett Lee to take all the wickets. There are some quality players who I expect to do well in the series. The players like Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques and Simon Katich will be of immense value to the team just as established players like Clarke, Hayden and Ponting.

On bowling of the touring party.
None of the pacers has played Test cricket in India but Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark should be able to play to the expectations. I understand the series will be played in the days of a new season just as we had played India in 2004. The October-November weather in India should assist the Australians. As a consequence, I expect the pitches to be lively and outfield grassy. So Lee & Co. should have no worries. Spin department, as I’ve said, is a bit inexperienced.

On players who are expected to make impact in the series from either side.
The answer is simple. The win-or-loss will depend on how you bowl or bat in the beginning. That is why the pacers are important. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh will be effective if they get support from the pacers. The Lee-Johnson-Clark will have to do the groundwork for Australia. Similarly the batsmen. A lot will depend on how the openers tackle the new ball. In that sense, I see the roles of Virender Sehwag and Matthew Hayden as important components of the series. The fortunes of respective teams could well hinge on how these two perform.

On poor form of the Indian seniors and influence India’s loss in the recent Sri Lankan will have on the coming series.
The Australia surely will have to exploit this. But for that to happen the Aussies will have to bowl like Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan. It is not easy to have similar effect but the Australians should do that.

On strategy he adopted during the 2004 series and any advice he would like to extend to the present bunch.
There should not be any fixed strategy when you are playing a team like India. I’m confident the core group of the team - Tim Nielsen, Ponting, Clarke, Hayden - will come out with a plan that can enable the players to take on the Indians. One of the things we did was to stifle the Indian batsmen. Even on the first over of the day we would have a sweeper cover. Indians are free-stroking batsmen and we did not want to give any easy fours to them.

On the absence of Andrew Symonds.
He is a fine player and a match-winner, but I will reiterate that Australia have produced a range of players who have done well on a range of times and situations. So Australia have learnt to live without their star players.

On the absence of Sourav Ganguly.
I was in India very recently and had caught up with Sourav in Kolkata. He was starting his practice and was looking forward to having a long season. His omission from the Irani Trophy team should be a shock for him. I’m sure he will overcome. I’m actually surprised that he was left out of the squad.