Australia coach Lehmann to step down in 2019
Darren Lehmann has confirmed that he will not seek to extend his tenure as Australia's coach beyond his existing contract, which is set to run out following the next Ashes series in 2019.
Having taken over the role in 2013 in the wake of his predecessor Mickey Arthur's shock sacking, Lehmann last year signed a contract extension that runs through to October 2019.
The former Test batsman has recently spoken of the demanding nature of the job and has previously indicated 2019 would spell the likely end of his reign.
Lehmann is currently in charge of the national side in all three formats.
Australia are set for two major challenges in 2019; the one-day international World Cup in the United Kingdom and then an ensuing Ashes series abroad.
Speaking to Fox Sports, Lehmann says his time will be up following that Ashes campaign.
"That will be it," Lehmann said when asked if he will seek a new deal beyond 2019.
"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."
In October, Lehmann expressed his belief that the increasing demands of the international schedule will leave "no choice" but to split the head coaching role between red and white-ball formats.
Assistant David Saker stood in for Lehmann on Austalia's limited-overs tour of India earlier this year, while Western Australia mentor Justin Langer subbed in for him for Australia's home T20 series against Sri Lanka in February.
"I think it will get to a stage where I'll probably have to look at changing that setup," Lehmann told cricket.com.au in October.
"I know speaking to (former England coach) Andy Flower for example … he didn't like it so much, but I think the way that the game is going, you’ve got no choice now."
Lehmann felts the logical way to split the responsibility was down the lines of Test and ODI/T20I, in order to maintain some form of continuity while also alleviating the head coach of some duties in what is a punishing schedule.
He also pointed out that it is a path the players are already well down, with the end result potentially vastly different XIs for different formats.
"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.
"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."
Lehmann felts the logical way to split the responsibility was down the lines of Test and ODI/T20I, in order to maintain some form of continuity while also alleviating the head coach of some duties in what is a punishing schedule.
He also pointed out that it is a path the players are already well down, with the end result potentially vastly different XIs for different formats.
"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.
"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."
Source: cricket.com.au
