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
craig swanson
Guest
I am now retired so was lucky enough to watch the entire game online. Great win by some of our next gen. Stand out performances by Marcus. Stoinis, Chris Tremain. Kurtis Patterson and Joe Mennie with good contributions from possibly Australia's next long term opening pair Cameron Bancroft and Matthew Renshaw augers well for the future.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Australia "A" have just dominated an extremely strong South Africa "A" side featuring 7 guys who have played Tests for SA in the past year, including 4-5 of the Proteas current first-choice Test XI. Good signs for Australia that they have solid depth in first-class ranks. Young players Renshaw, Patterson, Bancroft, Stoinis, Whiteman and Tremain all had good games. Meanwhile, SA's underrated Joe Mennie took 7-65 for the game. Great display by the young Australian team.
craig swanson
Guest
One thing that stands out there is our poor away record. A year before Lehmann came on board we also lost again in India. England and India have been and remain our greatest nemesis. What is the answer? Using the Duke ball here will not do the trick as we do not have the climate to replicate English conditions. CA should ensure that all of our test players should forfeit T20 cricket the year before our next away Ashes and have them play English county or league cricket instead. Our biggest problem when we tour there is our lack of familiarity with English conditions and the vagaries of their pitches. Players ...say in Bradman's day never had these problems as there was something like 30 warm up games thruout the tour. These days our tourists are lucky to get two possibly three warm ups and then usually against inferior opposition as was the case last time we toured.
Andy
Guest
yeah how does a coach fit in with the current mentality to play your natural game?
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Tim For once I concur with your sentiments ?
Simoc
Guest
Coaches are of no value in test cricket. They are a media chat outlet. Once called a manager, managing is their correct role in test cricket. Very different in ODI and T20 where coaches are an important part of the team.
Tim Holt
Roar Guru
Very deserving, on the one hand with him doing an outstanding job after taking over from 'Uncle Arthurs' a few years back But, the struggles overseas and in particular in Asia still remain with the same issues being ever present. Issues that should have been addressed after the shambolic Pakistan result a few years back but never have been dealt with. The inability seems to me points to Lehman being unable to adapt from his tried and true attacking mindset to suit conditions needing greater discretion in play. i held hopes that ROAR's own Jason Gillespie would get a look in, who has been outstanding at Yorkshire