Shane Warne doesn't understand what leadership means: John Buchanan

EXCLUSIVE - Former Australian caoch Joh Buchanan on leadership

Shane Warne had criticised former Australian captain Steve Waugh saying he was selfish.

 

Calcutta: That Shane Warne tore into Stephen Roger Waugh ("most selfish cricketer" among other things) for having dropped him in the all-important Antigua Test in April 1999 continues to be talked about, with nobody backing the leg-spin wizard.

Publicly, at least, not one teammate or member of the support staff has endorsed Warne.

It's a matter of record that Waugh's decision stood vindicated, with Australia winning convincingly and squaring the tough series against the West Indies 2-2.

Besides, replacement Colin Miller picked up three wickets. In the first three Tests, Warne had managed no more than two.

That, too, is a matter of record.

Waugh, clearly, had been justified in omitting an out-of-form Warne. The latter was then the vice-captain, though.

After a brief response initially, Waugh switched to a more elaborate one, pointing out that making hard decisions (like dropping Warne) were part of a captain's job.

Surely, one isn't in the hot seat to please everybody. Or, for that matter, anybody.

"As captain, that (omitting players) is the hardest thing to do. But it is also why you are the captain. People expect you to take tough decisions for the benefit of the team," Waugh explained.

Candidly put, with more than a touch of dignity.

Waugh didn't have to explain anything, but the issue had made headlines across the cricket-playing world.

Justin Langer's response was much stronger: "Stephen is probably the most selfless player I have played with... The things that he did for players behind the scenes were unbelievable...

"It is not the Australian way for an ex-teammate to criticise another... It is very disappointing."

Around the same time, another former Australia cricketer (and a massive performer), Matthew Hayden, spoke to this Reporter.

Hayden bluntly said that Warne had "got it wrong" on the Waugh front.

On Saturday, The Telegraph contacted John Buchanan, the most successful coach in Test cricket, for his take.

It's interesting that the Buchanan-Waugh partnership saw Australia scale phenomenal heights: Success percentage of an enviable 77.55 in Tests (38 wins in 49 matches) and an outstanding 69.39 in ODIs (34 out of 49).

Buchanan emailed his views.

Given that Warne has never lost an opportunity to run down the celebrated coach, Buchanan didn't have to be so restrained.

Yet, Buchanan chose to be just that.

Excerpts...

"I agree with Stephen and Langer that Shane does not understand what leadership means...

"Leadership extends far beyond being a great cricketer and far beyond the end of one's career...

"In my opinion, one of the reasons why Shane was never selected to captain Australia on a regular basis was because of his emotional inconsistency...

[While Warne never captained in a Test, he did lead Australia in 11 ODIs. That was in a stand-in capacity.]

"Shane's personality, character and demeanour make the person he is...

"Strong and insightful leadership has many components, one being emotional intelligence...

"Emotional intelligence by definition requires the leader to be emotionally consistent in everything the person does...

"Irrespective of the situation and his personal performance, Stephen was a man of consistency and reliability...

"Stephen knew where he was going and where he wanted to take his team...

"As a consequence, being a leader, Stephen had to make some hard calls about individuals, all for the good of the team...

"Shane has referred to one such decision by Stephen...

"Hopefully, one day, Shane will learn some of the valuable lessons - like a leader having to make hard calls - which life offers."

Time, perhaps, for the 46-year-old Warne to even go about issues which may have hurt him with a fair dose of dignity.