COLOMBO - Stand-in coach Allan Border is confident the Australian cricket team he hands back to John Buchanan today is on the right path.

Buchanan is over a back injury and ready to rejoin his team in Colombo for the ICC Champions Trophy, while Border is on a long flight back to Australia after a stint in charge in Nairobi.

"It's been a good start to a long summer," Border summarised.

"It's been very impressive cricket all round, very dominating performances, the bowling was outstanding, the fielding was brilliant as well and Matthew Hayden is just in unbelievable touch with the bat."

Border was quite happy to hand things back to Buchanan - especially as it will mean fewer emails to read each day.

"I've seen about 250 emails from John," Border joked.

"He's been watching the games and sending his thoughts.

"He's a very thorough bloke, he'll probably turn up in Colombo with a huge manila folder of stuff for the boys to contemplate."

But, more seriously, Border added: "John Buchanan's where coaching's at the moment - I just enjoy these little sojourns with the team. With the different positions I hold with Australian cricket it just gives me some insights in terms of selection, and the [Australian Cricket] board."

As a selector, Border was happy with the minor evolution in Shane Watson, whom he described as taking "half-steps" towards making himself Australia's dominant all-rounder.

"I think he's maturing all the time, he's really starting to feel a part of the team," he said.

"Certain personalities turn up and they just feel part of it, it's in their make-up, their character, but for most guys - especially a young player who's come from nowhere really - it just takes a while to find your feet.

"As the young player we're looking for he's taken another half-step forward - he's making progress, no doubt about it."

Border said he could not emphasise enough how important it was for Australia to have a powerful hitter in the lower middle-order, such as South Africa's Shaun Pollock or Pakistan's Abdur Razzaq.

Border was also impressed with the way Ricky Ponting was developing as a captain after succeeding Steve Waugh six months ago.

"I think he's really growing into the job," he said.

"Sometimes you're given this role and you're not sure 100 per cent how you're going to accept it.

"You've had a certain position within the team, one of the boys and all of a sudden you're given this responsibility and your whole status changes with that bunch of blokes.

"Sometimes it takes a while, but I reckon he's really grown into the job."

The only minor concern for Australia heading into the Champions Trophy, Border said, was a little problem with an ingrown fingernail belonging to master legspinner Shane Warne.

But Border felt it was nothing to worry and was happy with the way Warne bowled in unsuitable conditions in Kenya.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.