Michael Brown, the CA general manager of cricket operations, told the Herald Sun previous talks had only been "chewing the fat" and he wasn't even clear whether Buchanan wanted to stay in the post.

"We actually haven't had that discussion yet," Brown told the paper. "I am assuming that [he does want the job]. I really haven't had that discussion. The bulk of these discussions will be held during September and into October."

Buchanan's mantle has slipped with his team's and he has been criticised for the bowlers' excessive no-balls, the batsmen's inability to cope with reverse-swing, a decline in fielding standards and being unable to lift the squad in the break before the fourth Test. He has also had to deflect questions about hiring specific batting and bowling coaches as Australia have fallen behind in the series.

"I'm not even thinking about that," Buchanan said of his future.

"It's not a factor in my consideration. My consideration is to simply try and make sure we go into this game in the best possible shape and give ourselves the best possible chance to win it. If we don't win it well then obviously there are other decisions to be made after that."

At a pre-Ashes training camp in Brisbane, Buchanan set out his plans for the team until the 2007 World Cup, but his negotiating power for a new contract will be influenced by the result of the series-deciding Test at The Oval. However, Brown said Buchanan had CA's 100 per cent support.

"From my point of view he is doing a fantastic job for Australian cricket," he said.

"He's been a really successful coach in a really successful era. We haven't even got to the point of discussions about whether he is going on or not. At the moment he is flat out doing a job."

During Buchanan's reign Australia have won 53 matches and lost only ten, and he was part of 15 of their record-breaking 16 victories between 1999 and 2001.