da prosport bet： BRISBANE – National cricket coach John Buchanan said his champion teamwould have to address the emotional and physical stresses that couldendanger its World Cup defence in 2003
Michael Crutcher14-Sep-2001BRISBANE – National cricket coach John Buchanan said his champion teamwould have to address the emotional and physical stresses that couldendanger its World Cup defence in 2003.Australia’s top cricketers will hold a pre-season meeting in Melbournein two weeks, with Buchanan keen to discuss the best ways to manage theemotional strains which prompted Michael Slater’s axing from the Testteam last month.Demands on players will only increase in the next 18 months, with justone short break between November and the World Cup in South Africa inFebruary 2003.The schedule includes tours of South Africa, Zimbabwe and Pakistan and ahome Ashes series, maintaining the physical demands on an ageing team.”It’s all something that’s in need of discussion and we need a generalawareness of what the total impact would be,” Buchanan said.”Physically it’s hard work for everybody, it’s the same mentally andthen you look at the emotional side of being away from your family forsuch a long stretch.”And that’s when the team is going well. It would be extremely difficultfor us if the team wasn’t doing that well.”Slater’s form suffered in the last 12 months, coinciding with apublicised fallout with wife Stephanie.The dashing opening batsman was eventually dropped from the Test team,with selectors admitting Slater’s axing was more than an on-field issue.”It’s an unfortunate product of what we’re talking about,” Buchanansaid.”The life of a professional sportsman isn’t that easy and Michael is notthe first person, nor will he be the last, to go through tough times.”It’s an extremely important issue for all cricketers.”I think we can [help the general situation] but I’m not exactly surewhat we’ll do just yet.”Buchanan wants the issue discussed when Australia’s 25 contractedplayers meet in Melbourne from September 24-25.The players and management will talk about the upcoming summer, whichincludes home series against New Zealand and South Africa before theAustralians pack up for a tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe.The schedule adheres to the International Cricket Council’s 10-yearplan, which requires each Test-playing nation to organise regular homeand away clashes.Buchanan and the Australians have already had a busy 2001, during whichthe coach estimates he will spend 250 nights away from home.”We’re resting right now and everybody has to make the most of thisopportunity to refresh, recharge, re-energise and re-think,” Buchanansaid.The Australian Test squad won’t regather until the week of the firstmatch against New Zealand, starting at the Gabba on November 8.