Langer in coaching cameo role
JUSTIN Langer will sub in as Australian coach in a one-day series in the West Indies next year, however Darren Lehmann says he has no retirement date in mind and hopes to have another crack at drought-breaking Ashes glory in England in 2019.
Lehmann has been encouraged to take an extended rest in June next year, allowing his obvious successor Langer to get a first taste of international coaching in charge of a series in the Caribbean against the Windies and South Africa.
However, rather than being a sign that Lehmann may be thinking about winding down his responsibilities, the celebrated World Cup and home Ashes-winning coach hopes that the break helps him prolong his career.
Bucket-list items Lehmann is determined to tick off before the end comes is to win an Ashes crown in the UK after two failed attempts, as well as rare triumph in the subcontinent, with the next Test tour of India coming up in 2017.
Lehmann says at the end of the day performance will dictate how long he lasts.
“I haven’t got an end date in mind. I’d like to go for a while yet obviously,” Lehmann says.
“I’ve got some things I want to tick the boxes off as a coach and as players we have to become better.
“I’d love us to win in the subcontinent for a start and play better cricket there. T20 (World Cup), that’s another one. And then obviously defend the (50-over) World Cup … there’s still a burning desire (to win Ashes overseas) so I’d love to have a crack at that.
“But at the end of the day you’re guided by results along the way and how you go … you can’t be looking that far ahead.”
Lehmann will take his break after the World Twenty20 which concludes in early April and will be back on deck for the July tour of Sri Lanka.
It’s unknown at this stage whether Langer will also have selector responsibilities during his cameo as coach.