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Brutally honest Queensland captain James Hopes admits he had major reservations about ex-Test batsman Darren Lehmann taking over the Bulls coaching reins.
And Hopes also revealed he was not surprised that the Bulls did not make a final in any cricket format last season.
But, preparing to start another summer in Sunday’s one-day cup opener against Victoria at the Gabba, Hopes boldly claimed the Bulls were ready to “challenge for some titles”.
Queensland endured one of their most tumultuous seasons in 2010-11 after coach Trevor Barsby cut ties last December due to an “unworkable situation” with players.
Lehmann was initially named interim Twenty20 coach before re-signing as mentor for not only the Bulls but also the Brisbane Heat Big Bash League side which debuts in December.
The signing of Lehmann – who played 27 Tests and 117 ODIs for Australia – was met with much fanfare.
Yet former one-day international regular Hopes had his doubts about the man affectionately known as “Boof”.
“My initial concern when Boof was named coach was that we sometimes struggle with guys for whom the game came so easy,” Hopes said.
“They can sometimes struggle to understand how some players struggle.
“But Boof has been nothing like that.”
Indeed Hopes could not hide his admiration for the new coach after Lehmann turned their pre-season on its head.
“I think the big thing that he has brought to the group is that he has made us play games – sometimes we will go through a three to four month off-season and not bat in the middle in a pressure situation,” he said.
“But we have played (intra-squad) games every Thursday the last 10 weeks.
“As we got closer to the season the boys got very competitive and I think that will be the secret to our success if we start the season off well.
“The boys aren’t going to see anything new come Sunday.”
As a result, Hopes was tipping more honours for Queensland under Lehmann this summer.
“We didn’t make a final last year and I think that was fitting,” Hopes admitted.
“I didn’t think our group was ready to be in that situation.
“The way we finished last year and our off-season, I think we are well and truly ready to challenge for some titles.
“It all starts on Sunday – it’s up to us to back up on the park after what has been an exceptional pre-season for us.”
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