Lehmann signs extension of contract as Oz head coach

Lehmann revealed that he would probably not stay on in the role beyond 2019, with his assistant David Saker and Justin Langer, who served as an interim coach on the tour of the West Indies this year, set to be given chances to lead the side.

Published : Aug 01, 2016 15:10 IST , Melbourne

Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has been a big hit since replacing the sacked Mickey Arthur three years ago, masterminding a World Cup triumph on home soil last year and guiding his country to the top of the Test and one-day international rankings.
Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has been a big hit since replacing the sacked Mickey Arthur three years ago, masterminding a World Cup triumph on home soil last year and guiding his country to the top of the Test and one-day international rankings.
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Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has been a big hit since replacing the sacked Mickey Arthur three years ago, masterminding a World Cup triumph on home soil last year and guiding his country to the top of the Test and one-day international rankings.

Darren Lehmann has signed a new contract to stay on as Australia head coach until October 2019.

Lehmann has been a big hit since replacing the sacked Mickey Arthur three years ago, masterminding a World Cup triumph on home soil last year and guiding his country to the top of the Test and one-day international rankings.

The former Australia batsman also oversaw a 5-0 Ashes whitewash of England in 2013-14 and it was announced on Monday that he will stay on in his role for a further three years.

Lehmann penned his new contract following a shock defeat against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Pallekele which extended its dismal losing streak in Asia in the longest format to seven matches.

The straight-talking 46-year-old said: "The board have actually seen that we are doing okay as such, barring the result in the Test [against Sri Lanka], but looking forward to the next few years in charge and hopefully getting some wins in the sub-continent, first and foremost on the agenda, but developing the side as we are.

"We have a different coaching group now coming in and the players are refreshed and I am looking forward to the challenge.

"I suppose the big one on everyone's lips is the sub-continent – we certainly have to improve there. Ashes is a big home and away and, obviously, the World Cup. They are the big ones for us, as everyone knows, but you have got to try and win every games you play. For us, we just have to get better playing in all conditions.

"Probably the spinning ball on the sub-continent [is our biggest challenge] you would think. Swinging ball - a lot has been made of the England swinging ball and we won a couple of Test matches this time, albeit we lost the Ashes and the wickets they produced were very seam friendly. End of the day, that is the way cricket goes.

"For us, it is probably more the sub-continent conditions at the moment, getting prepared for that obviously with the next two Test matches here and then India at the back end."

Lehmann revealed that he would probably not stay on in the role beyond 2019, with his assistant David Saker and Justin Langer, who served as an interim coach on the tour of the West Indies this year, set to be given chances to lead the side.

He added: "We'll give those guys opportunities along the way. As I've always said, it's the best job in the world. I love the job. But it's a job you can't do forever either.

"So whatever opportunities we can give to the guys along the way we certainly will do. And then it's up to the board what they do from there and the high performance department.

"I think you're judged on results most of the time all around the world not just on the subcontinent. I think you've got to play well and win a lot of games of cricket basically as a coach.

"That's what players have to do, that's what coaches have to do in any sport. You've got to hopefully keep getting the results that makes it a lot easier."

 

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