Darren Lehmann will step down from the top job in Australian cricket after the fouth Test. Who is in line to replace him?
Justin Langer
Long been earmarked as Lehmann’s successor. Most people expected the baton to be passed after the 2019 Ashes, but the cheating scandal has thrown the plans of Cricket Australia (CA) into chaos.
The former Test opener coached the national side when Lehmann skipped an ODI tour of the West Indies in 2016, while he has mentored Western Australia in recent years.
Once described the role of coach – when it comes to managing behaviour – as a mix of policeman, headmaster, parent and mate.
Ricky Ponting
CA has long wanted the nation’s all-time leading run-scorer to coach more, but Ponting has been reluctant to spend time away from his young family in recent years.
Lehmann’s outpouring of emotion after he and and his family “copped a lot of abuse over the last week” may do little to change that mindset.
The former skipper has been floated as the nation’s Twenty20 coach, having done a stellar job in a couple of short-term consultant stints plus won an Indian Premier League title with Mumbai.
The current crisis may prompt James Sutherland to split the job in two and appoint a red-ball coach and white-ball coach, an idea Lehmann flagged last year.
Jason Gillespie
Coached the Adelaide Strikers to their maiden Big Bash League title earlier this year, while he has also served as a consultant coach for CA in the past.
The former Test paceman, who played alongside Lehmann at both South Australia and Australia, recently insisted he has every intention to honour a three-year deal with English side Sussex.
Lehmann’s resignation may force a rethink from Gillespie, who went close before ultimately losing to Trevor Bayliss in the race to be England’s new coach on the eve of the 2015 Ashes.
Trevor Bayliss
Contracted to coach England until 2019, but could come up in discussions – especially if there is a white-ball gig to fill.
England were smashed 4-0 in the recent Ashes, but belted Australia 4-1 in the ensuing ODI series and are set to be World Cup favourites when they host the tournament next year.
The Goulburn-raised coach is highly respected by many Australians in the Test XI, having mentored NSW and the Sydney Sixers in the past.
Mike Hesson
Lehmann suggested his side, desperate to clean up their image and win over the Australian public, could do a lot worse than behaving like New Zealand.
If Sutherland wants to go down that path then he should call the man in charge of that team. Hesson never played first-class cricket but worked his way up the coaching ranks and was appointed by New Zealand Cricket in 2012, shortly after resigning as coach of Kenya because of security issues.
One problem is NZ’s longest-serving cricket coach is contracted until next year’s World Cup.
Anil Kumble
The former legspinner was appointed coach of his homeland in 2016 and played a key role in India’s 19-Test undefeated streak and associated hold on the world No.1 ranking.
Axed in 2017 because captain Virat Kohli wanted him out. Kumble’s 619 Test wickets says plenty about his cricket brain.
Hiring one of the protagonists in the ‘monekygate’ saga would upset a lot of people and is unlikely to considered, but he’d be a handy trump card to play when India arrive in Australia for a four-Test series later this year.
David Saker
The side’s bowling coach filled in as head coach during an ODI tour of India last year. Lacks the profile of some of the other names on this list, but has previously made it clear he would one day love to take the reins.
Brad Haddin
The former wicketkeeper has been Australia’s fielding coach for a tick over six months. Almost certainly hasn’t served a long enough apprenticeship to get the top job, but his coaching skills are well regarded by many and – as the past week has proved – anything can happen.
Johnno
Guest
Foreign coach might be the way, someone to come in an outsider amd tear the place up no loyalties to no one eg Steve Fleming or phil Simmons or Otis Gibson
Greg
Guest
I think it should be Gillespie but CA will go for Langer. Gillespie's got a great record and success in England but doesn't strike me as a CA favourite. Gillespie has made is own way through coaching and seemingly not been been earmarked by CA like Langer and Ponting. CA probably wanted Langer and Ponting to be in the national set up from the moment they retired and have been pushing them into opportunities. Gillespie worked his way up the coaching ranks through the County System. Ultamately CA will want Langer because it will want someone they are comfortable with. Dizzy will probably end up coaching England and will probably be the next coach to beat Australia in Australia.
Cricketmax
Guest
Going leftfield and adding Tim Coyle to the mix. Former Tasmanian coach who created a strong culture taking Tasmania to two Sheffield shield wins. Had also worked with Australian womens team and coaching WBBL Melbourne Renegades. Fresh approach and would work well with Tim Paine. Tasmanian personnel have a reputation for being strong, honest and reliable operators.
Cricketmax
Guest
Coming from left field- Tim Coyle- former Tasmanian coach, and coach of WBBL Melbourne Renegades. Created a strong culture within Tasmanian team leading to 2 Sheffield shield wins. Refreshed approach and would work well with Tom Paine.
michael steel
Guest
Many commentators are saying that the Australian cricket culture has been going down hill for about 30 years. Mike Coward is one example. This coincides to when Australia got it's first ever coach in Bobby Simpson and the the disciplinary side of things became the coach's duty. Anyway, I see the coach position as a token one, considering Lehmann was not part of the Leadership group and since they have a manager it's an unnecessary position.
Linphoma
Guest
So, with all this discussion on the coach is that a consummate endorsement of Tim Paine as the permanent Test captain?
Jet
Guest
Wayde Seccombe took on Qld head role in mid ’17 and coached them to win the Shield this month. He’s served in deputy roles and played a stack of shield cricket. He also never played for Australia so bears no allegiances to any old cliques or connection with bad old national team habits.
Paul
Roar Guru
Any one of these guys could win the job, but it depends entirely on the parameters for the position. In other words, what role(s) do they expect the coach to perform? They also need to decide whether theyhave multiple coaches, multiple captains for the different forms of the game, etc. Paine can't do all three jobs so best to leave him as Test captain, especially given his age and likely length of time playing at this level. Finch has shown he can both bat and lead the side in one day cricket and would not be put of place as the skipper of the T20 team either. This allows CA to choose one or more coaches, see how they go, then make further choices down the track. It would be easy to chose one coach and think they can cover all bases. Better to see how the next 12 - 18 months pan out then move on from there.
Robin
Guest
Dizzy - proven coaching ability plus test background. Unsure how he is on the disciplinary front but cannot be any worse than present set-up!
magic
Guest
i think this is the right time aus should contact steven waugh and shane warne for coach
Michael Essa
Roar Guru
part of the problem. We will be right back where we started in two years time. We need to completely move on from the tough guy patriot as the leader. We need gentleman to lead the gentleman's game back to what it once was. We need someone like Hussey or Gilchrist. Or if we could talk mark taylor out of the commentary box?
Michael Essa
Roar Guru
The time Langer spent at Middlesex is an insight into his persona as his antics are now infamous. He is full of double standards. He banned sweet food from the players tea sessions because it was 'unprofessional' in his eyes, yet he would chuck hissy fits in the dressing room and cause damage whenever he got out. Whats more unprofessional? enjoying a cake or behaving like a child when things don't go your way? he is not the answer
KenoathCarnt
Guest
I think we are better of going for a wildcard option bring in Dan Christian.
SP
Guest
Langer is far too parochial. Andrew Tye was interviewed a while back about Langer - the rubbish he copped from JL for playing for another state was cringeworthy. Gillespie for mine.
Jameswm
Guest
Ponting I reckon.
Brasstax
Guest
Rahul Dravid. He is a no nonsense individual and despite the ball tampering fine remains one of the most respected players in the game. Plus his playing record means he is the perfect man to develop a.good test batting unit.
Pilferer
Guest
If your trying to change the culture Haddin should be nowhere near the team. Wonder if they appoint a separate t20 coach