Rating the last 5 Australian coaches

#4 John Buchanan (1999-2007) – 8.5/10

John Buchanan

John Buchanan was a name relatively unheard of in Australian cricket when he was appointed the coach of the national team in 1999. He played 7 first-class matches, 1 List A game and no international cricket. He still got the job even after being the most unlikely candidate.

However, Australia absolutely dominated world cricket under Buchanan. They went onto to achieve feats they hadn’t in years.

Buchanan started with a win streak of 15 consecutive Test matches which ended in the famous Eden Gardens Test in 2001. Under him, Australia won two World Cups and never lost a single game in World Cups. In 2004, Australia won a Test series in India after 36 years.

They won the Champions Trophy for the first time in 2006. Australia absolutely crushed almost every team that came its way. Of 30 Test series Australia played under the Queenslander, they lost only 3. Out of 89 Test matches the Aussies played under him, they won a staggering 70.

The ODI team was also dominant as they won about 31 of 41 played under him (including multi-team tournaments). His winning percentage, Tests and ODIs combined, is a mind-blowing 79.83.

The only low point of his coaching stint was the Ashes 2005 where Australia conceded the urn after 16 years. Thus, he is rated as one of the best coaches not only in Australia but in the history of the game.

However, Buchanan had a world-class team (a star-studded squad) at his disposal. Thus, managing the was not a concern as such. Hence, he gets 8.5.