By IANS,
Barrackpore (West Bengal) : Former Australian captain Steve Waugh Wednesday stood by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) coach John Buchanan, saying it would be wrong to blame him alone for the dismal showing of the side in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“It’s not fair to single out Buchanan. A cricket team is a collective responsibility. It’s team effort that sees you through. KKR is not doing well, but they must keep on fighting. They can turn the corner if they stay united in their fight,” Waugh said at Udayan, a home for children of leprosy patients, here.
Knight Riders are currently languishing at the bottom of the IPL table.
Waugh exuded confidence that former KKR captain Sourav Ganguly would soon return to form.
“Sourav is a tough cookie, a fighter. He is very resilient and will play his part in this IPL. He will get back to form soon,” he said.
Waugh ducked a question on the captaincy qualities of Rajasthan Royals’ Shane Warne. “It’s very different leading in a Twenty20 championship and leading your country in the longer version of the game,” said the 43-year-old, who was preferred over Warne to succeed Mark Taylor as the Australian captain.
Describing Australia’s recent below-par showing as “temporary slump”, he said they would retain the 2011 World Cup.