File picture of John Buchanan with Andrew Symonds

Calcutta: John Buchanan, who achieved phenomenal success as Australia’s coach from late 1999 till early 2007, has come out in allrounder (and fellow-Queenslander) Andrew Symonds’ support.

His stand is in sharp contrast to that taken by just about everybody else.

Buchanan, who is in India talent-hunting for the Shah Rukh Khan-owned Kolkata Knight Riders, spoke to The Telegraph from Ahmedabad on Tuesday evening.

Incidentally, Buchanan could be in Calcutta on Wednesday.

The following are excerpts

On Symonds’ bizarre behaviour in Darwin last Friday

Look, I’m not going to comment specifically, for I don’t know what actually happened... I’ve been so far away from the scene of action… But, yes, I know Andrew very well and have sent him a message of support... He’s a person who is committed to playing for Australia... He loves doing so and I hope he’ll be able to work through this.

The gist of his message

I didn’t say much, really... Basically that I was there if he needed a friendly face or a friendly word...

Whether, if he’d still been the coach, he would’ve sent Symonds home (Brisbane) for going fishing instead of attending a team meeting

Again, I can’t comment specifically as I’m not sure what exactly happened... I wouldn’t necessarily believe every word that’s been written and there could well be more to the Darwin incident… That’s my answer.

Symonds’ commitment being questioned

Having worked with him for a number of years, first at Queensland and then in the Australian team, what I can reaffirm is that he loves the game and definitely loves playing for Australia... Obviously, something wasn’t right (in Darwin), which is why it has come to this stage.

Speculation that Symonds may quit

I’ll be disappointed if Andrew does take that decision... In fact, I don’t think that will be the case... Don’t think he’ll quit... Having said that, if he does, then it won’t be because of that one incident... He’s a very private person, yet loves being around the game and around teammates... Andrew fought long and hard to get into the Australian team and he’s not a person to relinquish that lightly or easily... Today, he (only) needs to sort things out.

On Symonds’ mental toughness

He’s his own person and, to be your own person, you need to be mentally strong... He’s good at reading people and he’s good at reading situations…

Whether he’d ever seen Symonds as a problem child

Never... Every player has to deal with issues, personal or cricket-related, throughout his career... Sometimes, there could even be a conflict with the norms and rules of a team environment... I’ve known Andrew to be honest... Known him to be upfront... He expects others too to behave the same way and he’d be the first to admit it if he fell out of line... He has great team values and personal values.... Andrew has an incredible wealth of skills and talent... He needs to bring that to the team… He’s a tremendous athlete as well…

The 2005 incident, when Symonds reported drunk for an ODI against Bangladesh (in England)

He’d been out for the night with some of the boys... It had been one player’s birthday and one was injured... (Adds laughing) He managed to stay out longer than the rest!

Handling Symonds

Be it at Queensland or in the Australian dressing room, I didn’t have to treat him differently... Of course, we had our run-ins at different stages... Bottomline is that Andrew has an honest way of dealing with situations and, at times, that could land him in trouble.

On the way forward for Cricket Australia (CA) and Symonds

It’s not for me to say what’s the way forward... However, I hope Andrew will be back playing his best cricket soon.

Finally, whether Symonds has responded to his gesture of support

Well, text messages have gone back and forth... My impression is that Andrew is in control of the situation…