Buchanan sends warning note to non-performers

BRISBANE, JANUARY 18: Australian coach John Buchanan gave a strong hint today that some of his team’s non-performing stars could be dropped after three successive defeats at the start of the tri-nations One-day series.

“There’s a case for saying maybe some change in terms of the current squad we’ve got will occur, but that’s in the selectors’ hands,” Buchanan said here as the selectors wrestled with the side’s line-up for Sunday’s crucial match here with South Africa. Australia, World champions, desperately need to win to get their tri-nations campaign on track. With five qualifying games remaining, Australia can still make next month’s best-of-three finals, but will find the path tough if they crash again. “I’m sure all teams struggle with the mantle of being successful team, and at this point I think we are,” Buchanan said.

“New Zealand are playing very well and South Africa have a very structured one-day game, which they’re playing to the letter.”

Australia’s selectors have yet to decide which 11 players will turn out against the Proteas before a sellout crowd of about 35,000.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns today also dismissed claims that the controversial rotation system among the 14-man squad was to blame for the side’s woes.

“I would not for one minute suggest the rotation system has caused the three losses,” Hohns said. “We put on the field in Sydney (against New Zealand) what we thought were the best team in those conditions and against that opposition. “We have not discussed who will play Sunday, but we’ll put on the field a team we think can win.”

Buchanan also backed the rotation system, leaving the door open for local Queensland trio, opening batsman Matthew Hayden, all-rounder Andrew Symonds and fast bowler Andrew Bichel to return.

The trio were left out of yesterday’s match after also missing the opening loss to New Zealand six days earlier. (Agencies)