Darren Lehmann won’t sign a new contract once his current deal expires in October 2019

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia head coach Darren Lehmann has revealed that he won’t seek a contract extension when his current deal expires in 2019.

Lehmann, who occupied the role in 2013, signed a contract extension last year that lasts until October 2019.

Lehmann has spoken about the demanding nature of the head coach position in the past and admitted that he will likely vacate the position when his current contract comes to an end.

“That will be it,” Lehmann told Fox Sports. “It will be a case of too much time, too much travel. For me, I’ve really enjoyed the role and (am) loving it. We’ll just get to that point and work out what we do from there.”

Given the amount of time he has to spend coaching every year, Lehmann believes it is only a matter of time before two separate coaches are hired, whereby one handles Test cricket and the other focuses on the limited overs aspect of the game.

Should this occur however, Lehmann conceded that the teams for each format will look completely different.

“You can’t split them three ways – Tests, one-dayers and T20 – some of the time there’s no point another coach coming in, it’s just logistical nightmares, so I think you’d probably go white ball, red ball,” he said. “And cricket is really getting specialised. You can see a time when down the track … I don’t know how many years but there’ll be really significant changes and the XIs will be separate XI for each format or in red-ball and white-ball cricket.

“And that’s happening now anyway, just because it’s the only way you can keep the players on the park.

“But then you’ve got big tournaments which are really important to win and your best side has to be available.

“And there’s always different stories, (such as) how (can) the young guys get an opportunity at the next level if you don’t give them the opportunity when you get a chance?

“So there’s pros and cons everywhere – it’s just how you balance it out.”