physical, with a mentally aggressive Australian side more than happy to play a war of words with the increasingly disheartened English. The Australian side seem more confident, and more behind themselves than they have in the last five years. Lehmann's old school coaching philosophy has heralded a return to the simple; a love and enjoyment for the game, and a reinvigorated passion to get better at it. More than that though, a return to seeing cricket as a part of a bigger picture, something that
comes after the blessing of family.
Lehmann makes no secret the effect that the death of longtime mentor and friend David Hookes had on him. ''It changed my life. Life became more important than the game of cricket, you've got to make sure you're always enjoying yourself, enjoying life, and being around family and friends as much as possible.'' It’s this attitude that has been praised by the greater cricketing community.
Shane Watson spoke of the enjoyment that has returned to his cricket, “The game (can) get too much for you. That's what was happening in the Australian team. Darren Lehmann comes in and within one-day just turns that all around.”
Though the ‘homework affair’ with Arthur "That had gone out the window," he said. "It was more so you had to be desperate and put every other part of your life on hold to become the best player and best team in the world instead of just getting the perfect balance which means you're more chance of putting the performances on the board. Darren knew that from experience and that's exactly what he implemented.”
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting furthers Watson’s sentiment, “He’d tell you if you had done something wrong, but would be the first person to tell you when you had done something right. I’ve
heard from the guys, just what a difference it’s made having Darren around”.
Lehmann says his team’s success has come simply from an innate desire of trying to learn the game each and every day and improve starting first and foremost with their captain.
Clarke’s captaincy (despite his first class batting record), has been until now, defined by the most unsuccessful Australian efforts in the last 30 years of international cricket. The Champions Trophy in England became a joke, with the most major Australian achievement being David Warner landing a punch on Joe Root’s jaw in a Birmingham bar. Clarke said that the team had become fed up with losing and it was a blessing in disguise, to change the team culture.
Clarke is no longer a selector which has led for more time for him to develop as a leader and stick to on field tactics. Leaving room for Lehmann to polish of the rough edges as he sees fit. You have the captain who led brilliantly this year and who has done for a few years, trying to learn and improve each and every day, it's a good starting point.
It’s been Mitchell Johnson who seems to have benefited the most under Lehmann, providing a bouncing tail attack not seen in such epic proportions since the
McGrath wrath on the West Indies in 1995. Whilst the left-armer has made a few technical adjustments to his length and wrist-position it has undoubtedly been the self-confidence that Lehmann has brought to the team that Johnson has taken on board. As a fast bowler, the difference between a success and dismal over can be only millimeters on the pitch. Backing yourself and being supported by your coach provides an unparalleled presence on the field.
Lehmann, whilst one for a celebratory beer, is already looking towards the next hurdle of South Africa “They're the number one test team in the world and we're playing them on their ground so, you know it's going to be a challenge for us but that's what we need” said Lehamnn.
Whether Lehmann will have the same level of success as coach that Bob Simpson did from 1985-1996 is yet to be seen and will be tested next on the result of the upcoming series. Across all teams, there seems to be a unifying difficulty in finding form overseas.
First innings batting is an evident improvement area that still requires attention from Lehmann and his team. Brad Haddin, who had a phenomenal Ashes series, cannot be relied on to make the runs that the top order batsmen need, to establish themselves. Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander will quickly tear through the Australian top order if they cannot turn things around.
There has been notoriously fickle Australian team support during the Clarke era, a captain who some might find more stylish than desired. Whether the Australian public stay on board, if the Steyn demolition team out performs the Australian pace trio, will depend on whether Lehmann and his first mate Clarke have enough hold on the Australian public’s hearts to keep the Ashes born groundswell of support behind them. A solid performance against South Africa could cement the beginning of a new era in Australian cricket, and both team and fans alike, are ready for that.
"They're the number one test team in the world and we're playing them on their ground so, you know it's going to be a challenge for us, but that's what need"
By Jenna Downer