Darren Lehmann, the former Australia head coach who resigned from the post following the ball-tampering controversy in South Africa earlier this year, wants to get back to coaching.
Under Lehmann’s guidance, Australia won the 2013-14 Ashes 5-0 and then the 2017-18 chapter 4-0, and also won the 50-over World Cup in 2015. But following the tampering incident, and its aftermath, the 48-year-old stepped aside.
“I’d like to coach again one day. I think I’m a good coach, my coaching record is pretty good,” Lehmann told Australian Associated Press. “At some stage, I’ll get there.”
BREAKING: Darren Lehmann announces this will be his last Test as he is stepping down from his role as head coach pic.twitter.com/VZEKbS6ZZc
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 29, 2018
Lehmann added that he would prefer to mark his return to coaching with a shorter commitment than the long-term deal he had entered into with the national team.
“A shorter commitment is probably the way to go … that’s probably what I’m looking for,” he said. “But I’m just going to stay away from it this summer, watch the cricket and enjoy it. See what comes up next year.”
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Lehmann confirmed that he had been in touch with the suspended trio – Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft – and backed them to return with a bang, whenever that is.
“I speak to them all the time. They’re going all rright,” Lehmann said. “They’ll come back really well. They’re good young men and they’ll come back.
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“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.”
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Lehmann also revealed that a break from the coaching role has helped him get his life back.
“It (coaching Australia) was 300-odd days away from home a year, it takes its toll,” he said. “It’s been good to be home and actually enjoy just going to the cricket now, watching it without all the influences around having to win. There’s no stress, put it that way. It’s quite good.”
