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Darren Lehmann is a welcome breath of fresh air. In just a week, he has given the beleaguered Australian cricketers revitalised credibility.
He has also instilled in them a self-belief that was devastated in India, and the Champions Trophy, without a win in seven successive starts.
And in the process he’s lifted their morale on the eve of the double Ashes campaign.
Lehmann has done a Lazarus.
Four Lehmann quotes tell the story:
“I have three priorities – win, win, and win.”
True to his word first up, the Australians cleaned up Somerset at Taunton by six wickets.
Shane Watson, Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Michael Clarke, and Brad Haddin were among the runs, and James Pattinson, with Mitchell Starc, grabbed seven and six wickets respectively.
Impressive.
“Shane Watson will open the batting in the Ashes.”
When that quote came from left field on day three of his tenure, even Watson was gobsmacked, saying, “I had a few chats with Michael Clarke and Mickey Arthur about opening, but there was no confirmation.
“Darren has been more definitive, and I’m delighted.
“I feel far more comfortable now Darren is the coach.”
Watson celebrated with a lightning 90 off 94, with 20 fours against Somerset.
And that more comfortable feeling is right through the Australian squad.
Chris Rogers was confirmed by Lehmann overnight as Watson’s opening partner for Trent Bridge, ending a five-year international drought for the 35-year-old since his solitary Test cap in 2008 against India at the WACA.
Long overdue recognition for the leftie, who has accumulated 19,752 first class runs at 50.38 with 60 centuries.
Lehmann’s fourth quote was even more definitive.
“I will never rotate a player for the sake of it.”
He’s a breath of fresh air alright as he plays a major role in dismantling the Argus Report that has played such a huge part in wrecking the structure of Australian cricket.
Lehmann added – “If you are fit, you’re in the side.
“We are going to pick the best available each and every time.
“If they can get through Test matches they will play, if they are not they won’t.”
Amen to that.
On that basis, with the first Test at Trent Bridge starting July 10 and the second Test at Lords in successive weeks, it’s reasonable to assume the same 11 baggy greens will front both – form and fitness apart.
And with an Ashes squad of 18, the biggest ever, seven of them won’t get a look-in until the three-day county game against Sussex at Hove starting July 26.
Then the third and fourth Tests at Old Trafford and Chester-le-Street are again back-to-back, so the fringe candidates will have a hard job forcing their way into the Test side.
That situation is right up Lehmann’s street, as one of the best communicators I’ve ever seen.
He will keep the fringe players interested, and made to feel an integral part of the team.
Notice chairman of selectors John Inverarity has been as quiet as a church mouse since Lehmann’s appointment?
And the reason is obvious. Nobody in Australian cricket speaks with such positive authority as the new Australian coach.
The Ashes has become a contest. What a dramatic change in just a week.
And it will only get better now Darren Lehmann has become the strong man of Australian cricket.