Buchanan, Moody feel IPL could soothe frayed nerves

Melbourne, Feb 20 (UNI) Tensions between Indian and Aussie players during the recently concluded Test series could be eased by the Indian Premier League (IPL) competition, former Australia coach John Buchanan and former Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody believes.

Buchanan confirmed he would coach Kolkata and Moddy to take charge of Mohali.

''That is an exciting prospect for cricket - and it is amazing how the game brings people together,'' Moody was qouted as saying by the Australian Associated Press, a news agency here.

''When you are playing in opposing sides in any sport things can get heated, and cricket is no different.

''But when players get together in a team, cricket tends to take control of all egos and all past discrepancies,'' he added.

Buchanan said one of his main roles as franchise coach would be to blend different cultures into a team.

''I don't ever see that as a problem, once players merge together as a side you are actually trying to achieve a result,'' Buchanan said.

''What will be interesting is that you will have Australian players, Indian players, New Zealand players, Sri Lankan players, Pakistani players ... and they could all end up in the one franchise.

''That will make for an interesting cultural exchange no doubt ...and that will be one of the exciting parts, bringing together cultural differences in a very short period of time,'' he said.

West Australian Cricket Association (WACA) Chief Executive Officer Graeme Wood backed up Moody's decision of coaching another team, despite the possibility of his franchise and WA meeting in the Champions League stage of the tournament.

''We see this as a real coup for the WACA,'' Wood said.

''Tom ... his main contract is with the WACA, and he has ensured there will be no conflict whatsoever.

''He will lead the Warriors at the proposed Champions Twenty20 tournament regardless of whether Mohali qualifies for that competition or not.'' UNI XC CS LR KP1320