Rerouting Buch's advice.....

...and how useful it is turning out to be. Have a look at the link for the first three points on batting.

http://atulsondhi.blogspot.com/2008/01/buchs-free-advice-to-struggling-india.html

Now taking into account the performance till tea:

Dravid may not have scored the runs but Laxman has, while occupying the crease at the same time and not getting out in jiffy. That is what Buchanan was recommending. Score and Stay.

While Dravid is weathering the Australian attack, Laxman seems to have dented it for now.

Two or three big partnerships in top six in each innings was what Buchanan said. India will need at least two more in this innings unless the present one registers 200+. The pitch still looks good.

Buch's free advice to struggling India

In this era of free advice though columns and blogs, here are a few tips from Former Australian Coach John Buchanan. Below are the suggestions (All in red with our notes in blue) in one of the News Websites on how India can arrest the Australian domination to ensure that the series remains at 1-0 or 1-1 after Sydney.

In an article on an Australian Website, he writes about the key points for India as:

Being able to score runs as well as occupy the crease (Dravid needs to do the first and the rest need to occupy it)

Top four batting must dent the Australian attack (Not just weather it. Unless you take the bull by the horn in Australia, you will not succeed!)

Two or three big partnerships in top six, which means player or players registering 100-plus (Forties and fifties are not going to be enough and the likes of Sachin and Sourav must resist long enough)

Opening bowlers need support from another quick bowler (That would mean playing just one spinner even on a supposedly spin friendly wicket. To get this Australian side out, you may need three good quickies)

When an Australian batting pair begins to dominate, decide quickly on whether they employ wicket taking strategy or a strategy of defence to force an Australian error. (More huddles will be needed to change strategies from time to time as most Australian pair tend to flourish on home grounds)

Most things India by now must be aware of.

Taking Mind games to silly heights, Buchanan's way!

For a start, Buchanan is one of the top class coaches in World Cricket with envious record for Australia against other sides. But then he was coaching Australia! What about other equally capable coaches like Whatmore, whose reputation ended up in muck teaching teams like Bangladesh.

Take away the Australian team from the equation and put any other team, and Buchanan’s proud record will come tumbling down. That is why he never accepted any offer from any other side.

Now he has handed Australia a blueprint to castle Sachin Tendulkar during the Indian tour to Australia, saying in ‘’The Advertiser’’ that the Indian batsman is susceptible to short-pitched bowling early in his innings.

Now, is there any batsman in the world who is not susceptible to short-pitched deliveries! During the bodyline series, even Don Bradman at times felt helpless when faced with a barrage of bouncers. Buchanan feels Tendulkar's footwork has become sluggish, especially early in his innings, making him vulnerable to quicker and shorter bowling followed by the sucker punch of a fuller delivery.

Not that is the standard format for any top class bowler against any top class batsmen. Yorkers soon after the bouncers have been an art perfected by the pace brigades of almost all the countries.

Why repeat the same old things Mr Buchanan, just to keep yourself in news. Let the new Australian coach get on with the Operation Tendulkar!