Australia coach John Buchanan has attributed the Indian cricket team's success on the ongoing tour Down Under to an "astute" captain, who plays mental games to prop the confidence of his players at crucial junctures.
"I think Sourav [Ganguly] played a pretty good mental game from the beginning of the Test series," Buchanan said, ahead of tomorrow's triangular one-day series match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
"Whether it be with Brett [Lee] or with whomever it might be, the team or individual, I think he's been pretty astute with the way he's carried himself and carried his team through this whole series.
"That's why they're in the position they are in ... because he's given them either that confidence or ability to target the team or individuals at key times," Buchanan was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press.
Buchanan, whose world-beating side was given a run for its money by the Indians in the Tests, and now in the one-day series, also complimented the visiting batsmen for their tremendous success on the tour.
He said India's batting line-up is one of the best to play against Australia during his reign and it has been well-led by Ganguly, who has publicly targetted pace sensation Brett Lee in the build-up games.
"They're playing some good cricket . . . and their top-order batting is, as we saw through the Test series, the key to their performance," he said.
Buchanan was confident that Lee's positive attitude and love of for the game will help the fast bowler bounce back.
Lee is under fire after a disappointing period in which he took just eight wickets at an average of 59 in the Test series. He was belted for 83 runs from his 10 overs in Sunday's 19-run loss to India in Brisbane, and many observers believe he is on his last chance against India at the SCG tomorrow.
"He, like everybody, whether it be on the cricket field or elsewhere, would always love to be on an upper but you can't be," Buchanan said.
"He's a person who enjoys life, he enjoys his cricket, he loves playing cricket and so we'll see that."
Buchanan said the other Australian quicks had been helping Lee out.
"He knows his specifics and we've talked about lengths in Hobart; I think one of the features down there was all the fast bowlers got together and were part of working with him."
The Australian coach said he believes his players will not allow former cricketer David Hookes's death distract them in the match against India.
"I'm sure the players will play the best way possible, which can only honour the spirit of David," he said.
While Lee is certain to play tomorrow, his fast bowling partner, Andy Bichel, had an injury scare when he left the ground during fielding drills holding his left hand. But Buchanan said it was nothing to worry about.
"He's fine. He had a good bowl this afternoon and he's looking forward to being picked."
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