Darren Lehmann will not be present during Australia’s limited overs tour of India
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Australia head coach Darren Lehmann will skip the upcoming limited overs tour of India in order to take some time off.
Lehmann will be tasked with finding a solution to Australia’s batting collapses, which occurred too frequently during their recently concluded tour of Bangladesh.
In the first Test in Dhaka, Australia found themselves struggling at 33/4 in the first innings, while in the second innings, they looked solid until opening batsman David Warner was dismissed for 112.
When Warner was removed, Australia were on 158/3, but they ended up crumbling and found themselves in all kinds of trouble at 199/8.
This proved to be the turning point of the match as Bangladesh went on to win the match by 20 runs, which was their first victory over Australia in the longest format.
It was a similar story in the second Test in Chittagong as Australia went from 321/5 at the time of Hilton Cartwright’s dismissal to being bowled out for 377.
Even when chasing 86 to win, Australia lost three wickets in quick time before getting across the line.
“It’s happening too often for a young group,” Lehmann said. “The first part of the batting collapses was with an older group if you like, and then we changed it around and we’re still having them.
“It’s seriously not their preparation or how they go about it. It’s more the mental side of the game. We’re working through that with a young group and trying to come up with some solutions.”
With Australia hosting the Ashes in November, Lehmann also conceded that he has to work out who will be in the squad for the highly anticipated series.
All-rounder Glenn Maxwell looked rocky at times in Bangladesh and Lehmann admitted that the 28-year-old would have to perform in the Sheffield Shield in order to guarantee his spot in the side.
“With No. 6 in Australia it is totally different to Asia,” he said. “We’ll certainly be looking at that position and anyone can jump out of the pack in the three Shield games and what we think the best make-up is for that first Test. Glenn is there at the moment, like everyone else, he’ll have to perform.”
As for batsman Usman Khawaja, who scored just two runs in the one Test he played, Lehmann conceded that he will most likely be in the squad for the first Ashes Test since he performed well on home soil last summer.
“I would think Usman would play the first Test, although I’m only one of four selectors,” the 47-year-old said. “Obviously for the make-up of the side we changed it here, but we think he’s a pretty special player and obviously he’s got a really good record in Australia.”
When asked about wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, who only averaged 5.66 with the bat after scoring 17 runs in two Tests, Lehmann said: “Wade did a great job behind the sticks this game after the criticism he copped. We obviously want runs from our keeper as well so for him and all the other keepers around the country, the Shield games are going to be important.”
However, Lehmann heaped praise on spinner Nathan Lyon, who took 22 wickets in the series at an average of 14.31.
“Obviously, after Sri Lanka, he had to change a little bit,” he said. “He’s done that and he’s bowled in well each series on the subcontinent since, so I’m really pleased for him.”
Pace bowler Pat Cummins also impressed Lehmann as he finished with six wickets to his name at an average of 29.
“Exciting wasn’t he?” Lehmann said. “I don’t think we’ve done it for however long with one quick. He did a great job. For him, holding up, Steve used him really well in short spells. From our point of view just pleased he got through.”