Buchanan slams Gavaskar

Former Australian coach John Buchanan hit back at Sunil Gavaskar for taking a dig at his modest playing career and questioning his success as coach, saying his similarities with ex-captain Steve Waugh took the team to dizzy heights.

"There were always people who were more than willing to put the knife in, and the fact that I never played Test cricket was simmering in the background of these digs, particularly by a select few," Buchanan was quoted as saying by the 'Times'.

"I never shook the feeling that the axe was always hovering," he added. Buchanan, who is now the Kolkata Knight Riders Cricket Manager, last week drew strong criticism from Gavaskar, who described the Australian "failed former cricketer making a living telling international players to do what he couldn't do".

"Steve Waugh and I were similar in some regards and this helped Australian cricket to reach the heights it has. We both challenged the existing parameters and norms, and created a vision of life education outside the dressing room," Buchanan said recalling Australia's dream run during his tenure as the coach.

Buchanan also admitted he had a strained relationship with Shane Warne, who always disapproved of the coach's ideas when they played together, but added the bowler's outspokenness was always wondered about.

"There was indeed a lot of attention given to the relationship I had with Warne. You must remember we are from opposite ends of the spectrum regarding personalities. "He might have spoken his mind to the press but at least he spoke his mind and you would never die wondering with him. Even though I have massive respect for the person, the player and the entertainer, we have a distant relationship. There is no conversation between us to speak of," he said.

Buchanan also felt the furore over his four-captain theory was because it was misinterpreted by most people. "My four-captain policy has been misinterpreted by most people and I would just like to clarify it," Buchanan said.

"Basically, I will not select a squad captain but will select a captain for each match. That captain will make all the normal decisions such as field placings and bowling changes," he added. Buchanan felt since Twenty20 was a fast paced game it was important to have a unique strategy everytime so he wanted a number of minds to increase the rate of success.

"However, with a unique, fast-flowing and hectic game like Twenty20 I feel there should be more decision-makers, more captains in the process to succeed, so one has to think differently," he said.