Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann expresses his interest to return to coaching
Lehmann had coached Australia for close to 5 years.
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Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann has expressed his interest to return to coaching after he stepped down from the job earlier this year. Lehmann’s contract as Australia’s coach was to end after the 2019 Ashes in England, but he resigned amid tears and apologies following the ball-tampering scandal that rocked Australian cricket. Three of Australia’s top players were banned following the incident, and Lehmann thought it best to step down as head coach of the Australian cricket team.
During Australia’s tour of South Africa in late 2017, opening batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught with a piece of sandpaper in his pocket. Amidst investigations into the incident, the Australians themselves confessed that they had deliberately attempted to alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper. Captain Steve Smith and vice captain David Warner admitted to being part of the plot, which resulted in year-long bans for both cricketers. Meanwhile, Cameron Bancroft was suspended for 9 months.
After Smith arrived in Sydney, he repeatedly broke down during a press conference at the airport, following which Darren Lehmann decided that it was time to go.
Lehmann was in charge of the national side for close to five years. He recently completed his contract with Cricket Australia at the organisation’s training base in Brisbane. The 48-year-old doesn’t hold any formal coaching position at present.
I think I’m a good coach: Darren Lehmann
“I’d like to coach again one day. I think I’m a good coach, my coaching record is pretty good. A shorter commitment is probably the way to go … that’s probably what I’m looking for. But I’m just going to stay away from it this summer, watch the cricket and enjoy it. See what comes up next year,” Lehmann told AAP at the launch of Fox Cricket.
Darren Lehmann was in charge of the Australian team through their Ashes success at home in 2013-14 and 2017-18, as well as Australia’s 2015 World Cup triumph. However, his aggressive mentality has led to considerable debate as to whether coaches should lead their sides with a win-at-all-costs approach.
The former Australian all-rounder backed Smith, Warner, and Cameron Bancroft to bounce back from their bans. “I speak to them all the time. They’re going alright. They’ll come back really well. They’re good young men and they’ll come back. They’ve been training, hitting and they’re fit. Spending some time away from the game as well. I’d love them to be available for domestic cricket but that’s not my decision. That’s the powers above me,” he said.
Australia are currently in the UAE playing a Test series against Pakistan. Their inexperienced side, which includes as many as three debutants in the playing XI, is being led by wicketkeeper Tim Paine.
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