The Darren Lehmann era
Posted: Thu Jul 04, 2013 3:25 pmThe Darren Lehmann era begins in earnest in less than a week, as the Ashes mega-series begins in Nottingham. His accent to the top coaching job in Oz cricket has come at a critical time, following the fiasco of being swept in India and coming up against the old enemy with so much trouble and uncertainty surrounding the Oz team. With only two warm-up games with the main squad, having been in charge of a handful of games for Australia A, Boof will be facing a baptism of fire against a team that must surely fancy their chances. For their part, the Oz media seem to e holding their judgement on the Lehmann appointment, although the feeling from ex-cricketers has been largely supportive... more so than when Mickey Arthur was appointed.
Having watched Lehmann as a player, I can confidently say that he was certainly a tough customer playing in an era when only the very best were given the honour of wearing the baggygreen. Having witnessed him making the most of the limited opportunities he had at international level, I'd like to think that just maybe Boof will straighten out some of the current crop, who for the most part have not delivered on the potential that many of them promised early on in their careers. Having been a left handed batsman, maybe Boof will be able to relate his experiences that much better to the likes of Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Dave Warner and Ed Cowan. Whilst I don't necessarily see Ed Cowan being around much longer (unless he has a phenomenal Ashes), the other three potentially have the next decade ahead of them. Going forward, Nic Maddinson and Kurtis Patterson are also left handers, and could well flourish under the tutelage of one of Australia's most prolific run scorers at domestic level.
By Lehmann's side in the coaches box is batting instructor Michael Di Venuto, holder of a level four coaching qualification (making him more qualified than Lehmann). The Italian T20I player is also a left hander, and like Lehmann, was a prolific run scorer at domestic level for both Tasmania and some mob in the north of England. Given that Australia's biggest problem of late has been batting, just maybe the Lehmann/Di Venuto partnership can straighten things out. I was surprised and disappointed that Justin Langer didn't enjoy success in his role when with Australia. Personally I'd like to see two batting coaches in the mix, one for left handers (Di Venuto), and one for right handers (possibly Damien Martyn).
In terms of looking after our bowlers (who appear to be made of glass), Lehmann has Ali De Winter. Whilst I have nothing against the Tasmanian (other than the fact that he is Tasmanian), I have to wonder if Boof would prefer to have fellow south Australian Jason Gillespie in that role. I know I certainly would. As a player, Gillespie made the most of the limited talent he did have and became in my opinion the most under-rated fast bowler of the modern era. But of course coaching isn't the main concern with our bowling stocks, but rather keeping them bloody well healthy enough to be playing!
I have great faith in Darren Lehmann as a coach, and fully support his appointment. I don't believe he will have success straight away, but I do feel that he will be able to prevent a catastrophic disaster that would have otherwise unfolded under Mickey Arthur. We might not have a great squad of players, but at least we have a very good coach in place who just might be about to get great things out of a mediocre squad, and hopefully that just might happen sooner rather than later.
How do you think the Darren Lehmann era will unfold?
Do you think he is the right man for the job?
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/6285.html
Having watched Lehmann as a player, I can confidently say that he was certainly a tough customer playing in an era when only the very best were given the honour of wearing the baggygreen. Having witnessed him making the most of the limited opportunities he had at international level, I'd like to think that just maybe Boof will straighten out some of the current crop, who for the most part have not delivered on the potential that many of them promised early on in their careers. Having been a left handed batsman, maybe Boof will be able to relate his experiences that much better to the likes of Phil Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Dave Warner and Ed Cowan. Whilst I don't necessarily see Ed Cowan being around much longer (unless he has a phenomenal Ashes), the other three potentially have the next decade ahead of them. Going forward, Nic Maddinson and Kurtis Patterson are also left handers, and could well flourish under the tutelage of one of Australia's most prolific run scorers at domestic level.
By Lehmann's side in the coaches box is batting instructor Michael Di Venuto, holder of a level four coaching qualification (making him more qualified than Lehmann). The Italian T20I player is also a left hander, and like Lehmann, was a prolific run scorer at domestic level for both Tasmania and some mob in the north of England. Given that Australia's biggest problem of late has been batting, just maybe the Lehmann/Di Venuto partnership can straighten things out. I was surprised and disappointed that Justin Langer didn't enjoy success in his role when with Australia. Personally I'd like to see two batting coaches in the mix, one for left handers (Di Venuto), and one for right handers (possibly Damien Martyn).
In terms of looking after our bowlers (who appear to be made of glass), Lehmann has Ali De Winter. Whilst I have nothing against the Tasmanian (other than the fact that he is Tasmanian), I have to wonder if Boof would prefer to have fellow south Australian Jason Gillespie in that role. I know I certainly would. As a player, Gillespie made the most of the limited talent he did have and became in my opinion the most under-rated fast bowler of the modern era. But of course coaching isn't the main concern with our bowling stocks, but rather keeping them bloody well healthy enough to be playing!
I have great faith in Darren Lehmann as a coach, and fully support his appointment. I don't believe he will have success straight away, but I do feel that he will be able to prevent a catastrophic disaster that would have otherwise unfolded under Mickey Arthur. We might not have a great squad of players, but at least we have a very good coach in place who just might be about to get great things out of a mediocre squad, and hopefully that just might happen sooner rather than later.
How do you think the Darren Lehmann era will unfold?
Do you think he is the right man for the job?
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/6285.html
