LONDON (Reuters) – John Buchanan, Australia's coach, says English cricket needs a radical change of approach if a repeat of this summer's heavy Ashes defeat is to be avoided. In a wide-ranging critique of the English game, Buchanan attacked the attitude of several members of the England squad and described the county cricket set-up as "a true servant of mediocrity".

Writing in the Sunday Times, Buchanan said the rivalry between England bowlers Darren Gough and Andy Caddick played into Australia's hands during their 4-1 series win.

"In Darren Gough's new book he made comments about his new ball partner, Andy Caddick, with respect to their competition for five-wicket hauls. This rivalry seemed to be on show in each Test. It was Gough v Caddick, rather than Gough and Caddick v Australia. I believe this was one reason for Gough's inconsistent series."

Buchanan added: "Another example that stuck in our minds at the beginning of the series was a debut player for England driving into Edgbaston in a sports car, wearing sunglasses and with a mobile phone to his ear. Was he doing a bat deal? Renegotiating his county contract? Talking to his agent? Or could it be he was here to play for England?

"And then there was England's win at Headingley. About an hour after the game Adam Gilchrist went to the England dressing-room to chat with their players about a great moment for English cricket. He found Mark Butcher and two other players. The rest had already left."

Buchanan said England should put more emphasis on bringing youngsters through to the Test arena. Regarding the young players used by England this year, he said: "How many will visit Australia in 2002, let alone contest the next Ashes series in England? It should be at least 75 per cent but my instincts tell me it will be less than 50 per cent."

Buchanan was also heavily critical of the English county system, and said the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) should take steps to reduce the number of county games being played. "The ECB has begun the process of improving England's capacity to play consistently well," he said. "This can be accelerated by reducing the amount of cricket played.

"The flow-on effects will be to lift the quality of cricket played, by filtering out players and a culture that promote mediocrity and blunt development."

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