Buchanan reveals Australian secrets

Unthinkable to an ordinary Australian, John Buchanan has revealed that he has shared with England coach Andy Flower some of the secrets of his long association with Ricky Ponting's men which could be used in the home team's advantage in the Ashes beginning July 8.

Buchanan, who guided Australia to a whitewash in the last Ashes has arrived after agreeing to an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) deal to work as a coaching consultant.

"I provided (Flower) with some of my thoughts. I've been keeping a bit of a gaze on the Ashes build-up from a far and passed on a few things I've picked up as an observer now removed from the team," Buchanan said.

"We also talked about England's trip to Belgium, which was something I took a fair bit of interest in. It was good to catch up with him briefly, and was just one of quite a few things I am looking to accomplish on this trip," Buchanan told Cricinfo.

Buchanan earlier caused flutter in the Australian cricket fraternity by giving his consent to work with the ECB during the Ashes as sections of media even accused him of committing "an act of treachery".

The former coach would not stop from airing his views on how Australia should go about in the series, saying the selectors should opt for a right fusion of spin and pace attacks in the first Test in Cardiff.

"I guess the salient point here is what strategy do the Australians want to take? Do they want to utilise their fast men as the main thrust to their attack, and use (Marcus) North, (Simon) Katich and (Michael) Clarke for their spin, or do they want to take a less hostile approach and take a spinner that would allow them to adapt to more than one kind of strategy or surface?

"I suspect they will be leaning towards the former. They will have to be confident in North, not only as a spinning option but also his batting. If (Shane) Watson returns from injury that could give the selectors a little more to think about, but unless (North) has a woeful game against the Lions, I think he would be pretty close," Buchanan said. 

Buchanan, as part of ECB's fact-finding mission, will travel across England over the next week and interact with the coaches from country's elite cricket programmes as well as some of the county mentors. 

"I think we all will have a better idea after this week, but I don't think (a full-time position) would be the best way to utilise my time or knowledge," he said.