Aussies on right track: Buchanan

Kunal Pradhan

Australia coach John Buchanan said on Thursday his side feel they are on the right track to win a Test series in India for the first time in over 31 years.

World champions Australia have won a world record 16 consecutive Tests, including the first match against India in Bombay last week. But they have not won a Test series in India since the end of 1969 and captain Steve Waugh has said his side cannot claim to be the best in history unless they win the current series.

"There is a building feeling within our camp that we're moving in the right direction," Buchanan told reporters.

"This next Test is a crucial one for the whole series. Right from the first day of the match we will try to assert our authority and go after them from ball one."

The second of three Tests starts in Calcutta on Sunday.

Buchanan said he is happy Indian captain Saurav Ganguly, who was leading a local side in a three-day warm-up match which ended in a draw on Thursday, was unable to get a big score in the game.

Ganguly, who scored a shaky 40, had asked to be drafted for the match after he was slammed by the media and former players for poor captaincy and batting during India's first Test loss.

"I think he (Ganguly) effected his struggle himself. But it was important for us not to let him get a big score and as it turned out that was the case," Buchanan said.

HAPPY WITH BATSMEN

The coach said he is happy with the way his team was shaping up for the second Test, especially the batsmen who scored 451 in the first innings and 461 for seven in the second in the three-day match.

Mark Waugh, out first ball in the Bombay Test, hit a stylish 164.

"Mark played this game after he'd faced just one ball on the tour. He's extended that a little bit now over the last couple of innings, which has been very helpful for him," Buchanan said.

Ricky Ponting chipped in with a hundred in each innings.

But Buchanan said he is a little worried about the form of left-hander Justin Langer, dismissed for four in the first innings and 15 in the second.

"It would be nice if he scored more runs but he's batted for a good time in the centre and worked very hard off the field. A big score is on the cards," Buchancan said.

The coach said Australia might consider including off-spinner Colin Miller for the second Test but said a final decision would be made only after looking at the wicket on the morning of the match.

"Colin Miller comes into the fray and Michael Kasprowicz has bowled particularly well in this game, along with Damien Fleming and Mark Waugh. We've certainly got a couple of options," Buchanan said.

Buchanan said he is confident wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who suffered a hip strain last week, would be fit in time for the Calcutta Test but said Brad Haddin, who had flown in from Australia, would travel to Calcutta as a precautionary measure.

Vice-captain Gilchrist was one of the heroes of the first Test, scoring a brisk 122 which rescued Australia from 99 for five in the first innings.

Mail Cricket Editor