Australia coach Lehmann quits over ball-tampering scandal

Sports Desk: Darren Lehmann will leave his post as the Australia coach after the fourth Test against South Africa, which begins on Friday.

Cricket Australia confirmed his departure, which had appeared unlikely when it was announced earlier in the week he would remain until the end of his contract.

That was to run until the end of the 2019 Ashes series in England but now Lehmann has joined the casualties of Australia’s Cape Town debacle.

Cricket Australia announced its chief executive, James Sutherland, would speak to media at 2.45pm BST in Johannesburg following Lehmann’s resignation.

Lehmann had been cleared by a Cricket Australia investigation into the ball tampering, with Sutherland saying on Tuesday the coach had no prior knowledge of the plot. At the time, Sutherland said it was “inaccurate” to say Lehmann had resigned, but now he has decided to quit.

“It’s the right time to step away,” Lehmann said. “I’m ultimately responsible for the culture of the team and I’ve been thinking about my position for a while.

“Despite telling media yesterday that I’m not resigning, after reviewing Steve Smith’s and Cameron Bancroft’s hurting it’s only fair I make this decision.

“This will allow Cricket Australia to complete a full review into the culture of the team and allow them to implement changes to regain the trust of the Australian public. This is the right thing for Australian cricket.”

He added, “Like all Australians we’re extremely disappointed and as a team we know we’ve let so many people down and for that we’re truly sorry.

“The players involved have been handed down very serious sanctions and they know they must face serious consequences. They’ve made a grave mistake but they are not bad people.”

He choked back tears as he thanked his wife Andrea and four children and close friends “for allowing me to do this job and supporting me 100 per cent every step of the way”.
 

Source: Agencies

risingbd/Dhaka/March 29, 2018/A K Azad