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Buchanan criticises long break for Ashes decider
Buchanan has criticised the long break between the 4th and 5th Ashes Tests, saying it could hamper Australia's winning chances by disturbing their rhythm.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: August 12, 2009 10:00 AM IST
Read Time:2 min
Melbourne:
Australia and England are level 1-1 in five-match Ashes series after Ricky Ponting's men bounced back with a win inside three days at Headingly.
The fifth and deciding Test will be played from August 20 at the Oval, making it a 10- day break for the teams. The tourists play a two-day practice match with England Lions at Canterbury on Aug 15-16.
"The only thing that could prove to be an obstacle is the break. They've got a couple of days off now but if they were walking straight into the next Test, there'd be no hope for England," Buchanan said.
The coach said England would bounce back in the final Test after a bad outing.
"England has a chance to lick their wounds and realize that maybe the last game was a bit of an aberration. They were always going to have a bad game and that's happened now so it's out of the way," he said.
He, however, felt Australia was skill-wise always ahead in the series.
"I expected it to be a tight series. I thought Australia had its nose just in front overall, skill-wise," he said.
Former Australian coach John Buchanan has criticised the long break between the fourth and fifth Ashes Tests, saying it could hamper Australia's winning chances by disturbing their rhythm. Australia and England are level 1-1 in five-match Ashes series after Ricky Ponting's men bounced back with a win inside three days at Headingly.
The fifth and deciding Test will be played from August 20 at the Oval, making it a 10- day break for the teams. The tourists play a two-day practice match with England Lions at Canterbury on Aug 15-16.
"The only thing that could prove to be an obstacle is the break. They've got a couple of days off now but if they were walking straight into the next Test, there'd be no hope for England," Buchanan said.
The coach said England would bounce back in the final Test after a bad outing.
"England has a chance to lick their wounds and realize that maybe the last game was a bit of an aberration. They were always going to have a bad game and that's happened now so it's out of the way," he said.
He, however, felt Australia was skill-wise always ahead in the series.
"I expected it to be a tight series. I thought Australia had its nose just in front overall, skill-wise," he said.
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