“It’s just a chance to get JL into the system and let him have the reins for a trip”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia coach Darren Lehmann will hand over the reins to former Baggy Greens opener Justin Langer during the national team’s ODI tri-series against South Africa and the West Indies in the Caribbean next year.

Langer has been tipped to succeed Lehmann as head coach once the latter decides to leave the post and Lehmann believes that the ODI tri-series in June will give Langer some much-needed experience.

“He’s in charge. I won’t be saying what he can and can’t do,” Lehmann told reporters. “He’ll bring his own ideas and I think that’s good for the players, having some fresh ideas occasionally.

“It’s just a chance to get JL into the system and let him have the reins for a trip … He’ll do a great job.”

Australia, South Africa and the West Indies will be involved in a 10-day tournament that starts on June 6 in Guyana, while the final will be held in Barbados on June 26.

Meanwhile, Lehmann revealed that he has no intention of giving up his current position as head coach any time soon as he wants to lead Australia to victory during the 2019 Ashes series in England.

“We let ourselves down this year. 2013 was a different scenario, we were changing the whole setup,” he said. “I’d love to have another crack at that. But you’re guided by results along the way, you can’t look that far ahead.”

Lehmann added that he has been impressed with Australia’s form this summer, but pointed out that they need to finish strong as there are a number of big series coming up, which include a tour of New Zealand in February and the World Twenty20 in India in March.

“The top five is pretty settled,” Lehmann told Fox Sports. “We’re really happy with the way the batting group has come together over this summer and made some big runs.

“We obviously play the conditions really well at home. But the challenge for the group is to finish the summer off really well and then play that way away from home.”