Born in Ipswich in 1953, John Buchanan was a right-handed top-order batsman and more than useful right-arm medium pace bowler. He played 13 seasons with the University club in Brisbane, and represented Queensland in seven Sheffield Shield matches in 1978-79. He was for a time a professional cricketer with Oldham in the Central Lancashire League and in 1998 he was the coach of the Middlesex County Cricket Club.

However, he will go down in Australian cricket folklore as the man who finally delivered Queensland their first Sheffield Shield title after years of frustration, during his debut season in 1994-95. In his five years as coach Queensland has twice won the Sheffield Shield and twice won the Mercantile Mutual Cup. In 1999 his contract was renewed for two years but with the retirement of Australian Coach Geoff Marsh, John was announced as his successor, the appointment being confirmed on 28th October.

Apart from cricket he has had other sporting interests both as player and in administration. He was Sport Co-ordinator of the XII Commonwealth Games, National Director of the Australian Volleyball Federation and was Manager, Sports Development, at Queensland Department of Tourism, Sport and Racing. He also lectured for a time at the University of Canberra.

Represented exclusively in conjunction with Paul Smith