Waugh anoints Lehmann

[Donny]

Waugh anoints Lehmann

By Richard Earle - Fox Sports


AUSTRALIAN captain Steve Waugh has given injured South Australian batsman Darren Lehmann the nod to replace his crater-like hole in the Test side.

Lehmann, 33, has not played since the first Test against Zimbabwe in Perth in October, after an MRI scan revealed a minor tear in his achilles tendon.

New South Wales revelation Michael Clarke, Victoria's run machine Brad Hodge and unlucky Queenslander Martin Love will scrap with Lehmann, who boasts a Test average of 49.75, to fill Waugh's No.5 position when he retires after the fourth Test against India.

Of conjecture surrounding who would assume his Test spot for Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in March, Waugh said: "There's going to be one more (spot) shortly, yeah.

"I spoke to him (Lehmann) last night, and he's pretty confident and thinks he's ahead of schedule."

Lehmann had motored along, smashing three centuries in his previous three Test series before being advised by Sydney ankle specialist Dr Martin Sullivan to rest rather than risk a career-ending rupture to his achilles.

The left-hander was back running laps and batting in the Adelaide Oval nets on Wednesday, having discarded his protective "moonboot". But Waugh recommended Lehmann consult team physiotherapist Errol Alcott before returning to the first-class scene.

"I think he has to get some advice from Errol and a few other people to make sure it's the right time," Waugh said of Lehmann, who needs five runs to break the 1000-run mark after 15 Tests. "There is no real value in rushing it now.

"I don't think he will play a part in this Test series, but he's probably looking to get back in the one-day series, and that's probably a realistic goal for him.

"After that, there's certainly a place there - he is good enough to play, there is no doubt about that."

An intensive rehabilitation, which has included swimming and cycling, along with Waugh's comments, left Lehmann in an upbeat mood yesterday.

"That's fantastic if that's the case, but I just have to get back playing cricket," Lehmann said.

"It's great to have the captain's backing, and he's backed me a lot through all my career, really. I am really happy with that.

"We'll just have to wait and see, but it's fantastic that he's going that way."

Asked about his return to the crease, albeit in the familiar Adelaide Oval nets, Lehmann, who made his debut against India at Bangalore in 1997-98, said: "Yeah, good, thanks, I couldn't complain.

"I have to get the injury right and get back playing cricket for South Australia and see what happens from there."

[Donny]

Lehmann sets comeback date

Fox Sports

DARREN LEHMANN will be playing cricket again next month. The question is: who for?

After making his comeback for South Australia in an ING Cup game with Tasmania on January 9, there's no guarantee Lehmann will make it back into the Test team – ever.

He officially joined the queue today for Steve Waugh's soon-to-be vacant Test No.5 berth when he was given the green light to return from injury.

Hobbling around since October in his "moonboot" after undergoing surgery on his left Achilles tendon, the 33-year-old left-hander moved alongside Michael Clarke, Martin Love and Brad Hodge in the battle to fill Waugh's role at No.5.

He's probably just behind them.

"It's been a frustrating time, the last couple of months, so its naturally a relief to learn that I'll be playing again in the new year," said Lehmann.

"My aim now is to gear my preparation towards the Redbacks ING Cup match against Tasmania on the ninth of January.

"It's been two months since I last played, so to know that I am close again is great news."

The injury came at a terrible time.

The free-flowing South Australian had finally entrenched himself in Waugh's side this year, having broken through for his first Test century, and then made two more.

His average from 15 Tests was a healthy 49.75 and he was chipping in with valuable wickets with his left-arm orthodox spinners.

But with Clarke being honed as the next big thing, Love doing nothing wrong in limited opportunities – an average of 46 with one century from five Tests – and Hodge scoring a mountain of runs for Victoria, Lehmann might find himself on the outer.

Simon Katich has made Lehmann's old No.6 position his own, so replacing Waugh is the only hope for "Boof".

If he hasn't found a way back by the time Australia tours Sri Lanka in late February, he can kiss his international career goodbye.

Lehmann is managing the South Australian team ahead of their Pura Cup match with Queensland which starts ast the 'Gabba tomorrow.

[Donny]

It's interesting to look at the first class batting stats of the contenders for Waugh's spot.

Those Michael Clarke supporters may be surprised to learn he only averages 36.38 from 27 matches. He has scored a century every 3.85 games he's played. He's 22.

Although Hodge averages in the 50s over the last three seasons, his overall figure is 43.9. He's 29 and scores a ton every 4.75 games.

Love, also 29, has an average of 50.44 but has a games per hundred ratio of 5.42.

If we were to go on figures alone, Boof would stroll it in. He has an average of 56.91 over 222 games. He scores a century every 3.46 matches. He's 33 but that's still 5 years younger than Waugh.

Obviously Clarke is an exciting one day player already but to be selecting him ahead of Lehmann, or the other two for that matter, in a Test team is not warranted at this stage of his career.

[Sultan of spin]

Do you really think Boof has got 5 years left? He isn't exactly the fittest guy going around and has been getting a few injuries lately so maybe they will go for someone a bit younger and fitter. Don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of Boof and would love to see him succeed at test level but he has never been able to cement his spot in the past so maybe the selectors will look else where.

[Donny]

Lol. No.

Just making the point that it's not the best thinking to bring Clarke in simply because he's much younger than Boof.

In the two or so more years that will probably see Lehmann's Test career out, Clarke will have racked up some more valuable experience and will still only be 24.

[Sultan of spin]

It would be interesting to compare Clarke's current average to that of Ponting when he was first selected in a test. I don't not for sure but I reckon they would be fairly similar, I think Ponting was a similar age on his debut as well. The best time to introduce a new player is probably at the start of a summer or on a tour against a weaker side, so Boof will probably get the nod for Ski Lanka particularly with his abilty against spin bowling.

[Donny]

Yes, I don't know that one off hand but I'd guess - and bearing in mind he scored 5 centuries in 5 Shield games in succession to force his way in - it would've been quite a bit higher than 36.38

Perhaps someone can find out.

I remember he started with Tassie at 17 and debuted in a Test at 20 in Perth. He was l.b.w. for 96 in his first dig.

[Sultan of spin]

Yeah I remember the 96, I also the think LB decision was fairly ordinary from memory.