FORMER coach John Buchanan says Australia should view losing the Ashes as the perfect time to review its operation. He talks with ROBERT CRADDOCK.

RC: You were involved with England in its early stages of Ashes planning. Does the series result surprise you?

JB: No. My main link with England was to help their under-17 and 19 coaches. But while I was there I did meet up with Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower.

They had a very strong sense of what they were trying to do and how they would go about it in terms of strategy, the type of team they wanted and bringing in a bowling coach like David Saker, who seemed an unusual selection but a man who understood Australian conditions and has done his role exceptionally well.

The Ashes is not their sole goal. Their primary goal is to become the world's No. 1 cricket nation.

What have you made of Australia's selections?

It seemed there was a great deal of uncertainty about which players would embark on the Ashes journey.

I don't think you want any player going into a Test series of that magnitude with static in his mind and Mitchell Johnson was an example of that. He needs to play with a clear mind, but there he was with a whole group of bowlers, none of whom were certain of selection. Suddenly, after one Test he is out of the side.

There have been factors, such as that, which stopped the Australian players from settling into a united group.

What do you make of Ricky Ponting's future?

I think he can still be the captain and bat No. 3, but I am very much a believer that he has taken on way too much and has done so for a long period of time.

So you think those stresses might have muddled his mind?

Totally. He has made the commitment to try and help rebuild Australian cricket, but he has been allowed to take on too much. His predominant role should be around the team - watch them train and play. Rebuilding is a huge job with state cricket and the Centre of Excellence. He is great at setting team standards, but other people need to share some of the load and drive it home.

Are you worried about whether Australia has focus about where it is heading?

I would like to hear from the people in charge - - James Sutherland, Greg Chappell, Andrew Hilditch or Ricky Ponting - about where they want Australian cricket to be in three-to-five years and what strategies they have to move to that position.

What about Australia's poor spinning depth?

You need some clear strategies. You might look at the formats of your game - the 20-over and 50-over game - and begin to introduce various people. It may mean more spin camps at the Centre of Excellence. It may mean looking at the under-19 World Cup and seeing if any young spinners from overseas want to emigrate. 

Coach Tim Nielsen is under heavy fire. What is the key for Australia's coaching staff over the next few years?

Take Tim out of the picture, specifically. I believe the coaching staff needs to take greater responsibility and accountability for how the side operates. The coach should be responsible not simply for the present, but for guiding a group of individuals to the future.