Appointed in October 1999 to replace Geoff Marsh he was considered an unlikely candidate given that he had not played at the Test level as had his predecessors, Marsh and Bob Simpson. His results speak for themselves however as he has helped steer the team to unprecedented success. At one stage his record was 15 wins from 15 games played.

Buchanan has, along with current captain Ricky Ponting, led the side to numerous successes, including a world-record 16 consecutive Test match victories and 23 ODI victories in world cup tournaments, Buchanan only not involved in the first one, a 2001 and 2002-03 Ashes domination winning both series 4-1, the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa, the 2004 tour of India, in which Australia hadn't won a series there in thirty-six years, and more recently, following their shock Ashes defeat, a whitewash of the Super Series that saw the Aussies up against a World XI. In late 2006 he helped the team to their first ever ICC Champions Trophy victory, after four previously failed attempts and followed this with a 5-0 whitewash in the 2006-07 Ashes Series, the first since the 1920-21 Series. In 2007 his team won their third consecutive world cup. His unorthodox methods have raised a few eyebrows and Shane Warne was dismissive about his role in the team Ponting credits him as being one of the important reasons why Australia completed their World Cup hat trick of wins.

Following his retirement as Australia's cricket coach, Buchanan has declined an indirect approach to coach the Indian cricket team on the grounds that he was not yet ready for another international assignment. However Buchanan has not ruled out a return to coaching an international cricket team in the future.

In mid 2006, Buchanan confirmed that at the conclusion of next year's World Cup in the West Indies, he will step down as coach possibly to coach the Southern Redbacks. However, in October 2007, he accepted a position as Ambassador for Cricket Coaches in Australia, where he hopes to use his experience to help the development of Australian coaches in the future.

Prior to the senior coaching position, he had five successful years as the Queensland Bulls coach in which they enjoyed two Sheffield Shield titles, the first in 1994/95 was in the state's history, and two Mercantile Mutual Cup wins. He also coached Middlesex in 1998.

Buchanan had a brief first-class career with Queensland in 1978/79 in which he played in 7 matches and hit 160 runs. He also played league cricket in England including a spell at Hyde Cricket Club in Cheshire.

John Buchanan is a King's Old Collegian (University of Queensland, Brisbane)and is also an old boy of The Southport School, located in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. His son Michael Buchanan is also a cricketer and in 2006/07 will play Domestic Cricket for the Queensland Bulls.

John Buchanan has recently released a book named, "If Better Is Possible". he book shows how business managers at all levels can can lead their teams to greatness, and exlores in details what it takes to build and sustain a champion team. The book offers guidance on making important, and life changing choices, creating a culture of success, gaining mental toughness, using system, and processes to achieve winning advantage, and providing leadership opportnities. It presents valuable insight insights into the strategic thinking behind shaping, and leading an elite team. The book starts quoting Henry Kissinger, "....take people where they have never been before....."

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