John Buchanan's role as national coach will be scrutinised when he meets with Australian Cricket Board chief executive Malcolm Speed on Wednesday.

It is believed the board wants to clearly define the coaching role for the first time after Buchanan encountered controversy during the recent Indian tour.

The successful Queenslander was criticised for an outspoken criticism of Shane Warne's fitness leading into the deciding Test of the Indian series.

It was a rare slice of controversy for Buchanan but it has led to claims from an English newspaper that he could lose his role as a tour selector for the upcoming Ashes defence.

Buchanan said he was surprised at the article and said he had no idea whether his automatic role as joint tour selector would be reviewed by the ACB's board of directors.

But it is believed there is tension between Buchanan and the ACB, which is still expected to renew his contract during the Ashes series.

The crux of the issue remains whether the coach should be a behind-the-scenes mentor or a spokesman for the team.

Buchanan's wings could be clipped by the ACB despite his outstanding record as national coach - 15 wins from 17 Tests.

The Queenslander said he would be disappointed to lose his role as tour selector but admitted it could be seen as contradictory.

Former English coach David Lloyd decided against selecting teams because it could stand in the way of his dealings with players.

"It depends on what the role of the coach is on tour and at home and that's why it's an important issue," Buchanan said.

"Being a selector on tour hasn't necessarily jeopardised that role at the moment but, if it was seen to be, I would probably see there isn't a role as a selector."

Australian coaches have taken on varied roles since Bob Simpson pioneered the position in the 1980s.

Simpson had different roles under captains Allan Border and Mark Taylor while incumbent leader Steve Waugh has a firm say on the current team.

Buchanan hasn't always seen eye-to-eye with his players, most notably Stuart Law in Queensland and Middlesex pair Mark Ramprakash and Mike Gatting.

But his success and support from most players have been unquestioned, leading to his appointment to the Australian position in November 1999 following the retirement of Geoff Marsh.

Buchanan was not afforded much credit during Australia's record-breaking streak, but his role came under question in India when Australia lost its first series in more than 18 months.

The article in England's Sunday Telegraph, said Buchanan could become "invisible" if Australia was unable to defend the Ashes.

It likened him to a "control freak" and "Rasputin in white", questioning his coaching claims because of his limited experience as a player.

It could be the first of several attempts to unhinge the Australian squad before the opening Test in July as England tries to regain the Ashes for the first time in more than a decade.

© 2001 AAP