Darren Lehmann has identified four big goals he wants to tick off after extending his contract as Australia’s cricket coach.
Cricket Australia announced on Monday that Lehmann, who was signed until June 2017, had agreed to add two-and-a-half years to his deal to take in a bumper 2019 that includes the Ashes in England and World Cup defence.
Before that, Australia face a huge challenge to turn around their woeful recent record away to subcontinental teams.
Their defeat to Sri Lanka on Saturday in the first Test in Kandy extended that losing streak to seven matches.
As well as trying to find a way to turn that form around when the second Test starts in Galle on Thursday, Lehmann will early next year lead Australia on a four-Test tour of India, where they haven’t won a Test since 2004.
The 46-year-old has enjoyed plenty of success since replacing Mickey Arthur, taking the Test and one-day sides to the No.1 ranking, but Lehmann has four clear goals to achieve before he likely finishes in the role.
“I suppose the big one on everyone’s lips is the subcontinent – we certainly have to improve there,” Lehmann said in Galle.
“Ashes is a big home and away and, obviously, the World Cup.
“They are the big ones for us.”
When asked if the latest contract extension would be his last, Lehmann replied: “I would think it would be, yeah.”
That leaves him with a chance to regain the Ashes at home in 2017-18 and if that’s achieved, retain them in 2019 in England, where Australia haven’t won a series since 2001.
Australia’s stunning 5-0 win at home in 2013-14 was bookended by 3-0 and 3-2 losses against the old enemy in England.
Lehmann’s contract renewal comes just two weeks after Victoria’s former fast bowler David Saker was appointed Australia’s assistant coach.
“We wanted certainty and stability for the playing group with both the coach and assistant coach contracted as we build towards the Ashes series and the 2019 World Cup,” Cricket Australia general manager Pat Howard said.
Lehmann handed the coaching reins to Justin Langer for the recent triangular one-day series in the Caribbean to rest up and may take another sabbatical in the next few years.
“It’s the best job in the world. I love the job. But it’s a job you can’t do forever, either,” he said.
“So whatever opportunities we can give to the guys along the way we certainly will do.”
Lehmann has previously said he believes West Australian coach Langer will be the next coach of Australia.
LEHMANN’S RECORD AS AUSTRALIAN COACH
TESTS: played 35, won 19, lost 10, drawn 6
vs England (away) 2013 lost 3-0
vs England (home) 2013-14 won 5-0
vs South Africa (away) 2013-14 won 2-1
vs Pakistan (away in UAE) 2014-15 lost 2-0
vs India (home) 2014-15 won 2-0
vs West Indies (away) 2015 won 2-0
vs England (away) 2015 lost 3-2
vs New Zealand (home) 2015-16 won 2-0
vs West Indies (home) 2015-16 won 2-0
vs New Zealand (away) 2015-16 won 2-0
vs Sri Lanka (away) – currently down 1-0 with two Tests remainingODIs: played 59, won 38 (including 2015 World Cup), lost 15, abandoned or no result 6
T20s: played 26, won 13, lost 12, abandoned or no result 1
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