'Sacking of players by Arthur could be a masterstroke'

Former Australia coach John Buchanan believes that the sacking of four players was a hardline strategy, which could either make Mickey Arthur an Ashes hero or finish his career as an Aussie coach.

"At this point it could be a masterstroke or it could be the reverse and I don't think it will be anywhere in between," he said.

"There is a very clear message there. Whether that is the right message or whether it has been delivered or arrived at correctly will show in terms of whether it brings about a change in the way this Australian group gel together or signify an end to what has been going on before.

"It will continue to ferment and there is only one loser if it goes wrong and it will be the coach," Buchanan was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

Buchanan, however, feels that with the Ashes in England just about four months away, the Aussies have run out of time to have structural stability, which would be required to upset the English at their home turf.

"I definitely think it has provided some advantage to England but time will tell. There is a lot going on aside from this one issue. You have a new coach, new selectors, people leaving and arriving and a range of players coming in and out of different teams.

"What happened (in India) is a product of all that," insisted Buchanan, who coached Australia between 1999-2007 and presided over a hugely successful period.

"I don't think there will be sufficient time for them to bed down before they get to England but it could be a masterstroke. This is about more than 10 (Ashes) Tests.

"This is about establishing a new team culture and fabric, a new way of being part of an Australia team that will be there for as long as Clarke and those he hands over to last," he added.

The former coach said Australia's recent selection methods and the rotation policy might be creating a lot of uncertainty in the team.

"You cannot develop a team culture with so many people coming and going all the time irrespective of the format.

"It must create a lot of uncertainty in the group and with uncertainty comes less trust, less honesty and less compliance. Players look after themselves more."