Former Australia coach John Buchanan has admitted meeting England's cricket bosses but played down talk that he could help them devise a plan to win back the Ashes this summer.

Buchanan, who retired soon after Australia completed their 5-0 Test whitewashing of the old enemy in 2007, says he was in England on his way home from South Africa, where he coached the Kolkata Knight Riders during the recent Indian Premier League campaign.

"I did drop in and see some cricket officials but it was a fleeting visit," insisted Buchanan. And asked whether he could plot against Australia this summer, he said: "There have been no negotiations and nothing about the Ashes. There's nothing concrete."

An England Cricket Board spokesman also confirmed that a meeting took place last week. "At this stage nothing has been arranged going forward," he added.