Lehmann: I needed more help
Former Australia national coach Darren Lehmann has revealed that he paid a heavy emotional toll over the balltampering scandal and claimed that under-fire Cricket Australia could have done more to support him.
Lehmann continues to receive counselling, having gone through some dark times since his life was turned upside down by the incident in the third Test against South Africa in March.
He quit tearfully in the aftermath, despite being cleared of any direct role and also being contracted until the 2019 Ashes series in England, with Justin Langer taking over.
His decision followed lengthy bans on then captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft for the plot to alter the ball using sandpaper.
“I saw people, and am still seeing people about it. That’s a work in progress,” Lehmann said, preparing to relaunch his career as a commentator.
“I don’t think people know how much it affects people behind the scenes, but that’s one of those things you go through.
“The help of family and close friends got me through.”
Lehmann, who will be behind the microphone for Australia’s first one-day international against South Africa in Perth on Sunday, said the governing body had offered psychological support, “but you could always have more”.
“For me, it was OK. It was a tough time and you had bad days and good days and I’m sure all those other three blokes had worse days,” Lehmann said.
“You just hope they get the right help. Everyone gets the right help when they need it.
“There could have been more help, but they didn’t just leave us hanging either.”
Lehmann was hailed as a saviour when he took over in 2013 and led Australia to a 5-0 sweep in the 2013/2014 Ashes Test series against England.
But he has since been accused by critics of overseeing a toxic team culture that damaged the reputation of the famed Baggy Green cap.
While he and the three players have all paid a price, no-one at Cricket Australia has been held to account, although the governing body has accepted some culpability and former CEO James Sutherland has departed, along with team performance boss Pat Howard.
An independent review commissioned by Cricket Australia, has slammed its “arrogant” and “controlling” culture leading up to the tampering furore, triggering calls for chair David Peever to quit. –