Jake Lehmann to follow in dad Darren’s famous footsteps as captain of South Australia
JAKE Lehmann, son of former Test batsman and coach Darren “Boof” Lehmann, will follow in his father’s footsteps to captain South Australia in this season’s JLT One-Day Cup.
IT’S the feel good story of the season before a ball is bowled, with Jake Lehmann vowing to captain South Australia in the aggressive, free-flowing fashion of father Darren a decade prior.
Travis Head’s inclusion on Australia’s Test tour of the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan next month meant Lehmann was fast tracked as Redbacks leader.
Lehmann wants his JLT Cup one-day side to enjoy the game as his father and former Test batsman Darren did while forging his own path.
“I am the kind of person who can be relaxed, go away from cricket and comeback and not worry about what other people are saying,” said Lehmann, who commands SA after 20 one-day matches.
“I just want the boys to have fun, enjoy their cricket execute their skills and feel comfortable to play the cricket we want to play. I guess that is what ‘Heady’ has done.
“I am honoured to be South Australian captain, didn’t think about that when I started playing cricket for SA.
“I have had a couple of conversations with Jamie Siddons about being a bit more of a leader in the group. It is something I looked to achieve but didn’t think would happen this fast.”
Darren Lehmann captained SA in 55 Sheffield Shield games between March 1996 and March 2007. Lehmann skippered SA in 51 one-day matches between February 1998 and February 2007 for 25 wins while finishing with a state record 4155 runs at 51.
“He was just a proud Dad, loves cricket, I am sure when a couple of games roll around he will be in the back of the ear but he is all good,” said Lehmann, preferred to Australian T20 vice-captain Alex Carey to steer the Redbacks.
Father and son both led the Redbacks for the first time at 26 which is a source of pride for Darren.
“I am really proud of him and extremely excited for the whole group this year,” former Australian coach Lehmann told The Advertiser.
Jake Lehmann shares optimism about South Australia’s one-day and Sheffield Shield title chances while hoping Head’s Test squad selection is a trigger for further international recognition.
“One of the Redbacks’ values is trying to play for Australia. I am just proud as a mate of Heady’s. Hopefully he gets the baggy green and opportunity to play for a long time. I am absolutely thrilled for him,” said Lehmann, who can unleash an attack featuring Joe Mennie, Daniel Worrall, Chadd Sayers, Kane Richardson and Adam Zampa in SA’s September 20 JLT Cup opener against New South Wales in Perth.
“Our bowlers are all experienced. Everyone has played a lot of List A cricket now.
“Our time is now to try and step up and win something.”
Callum Ferguson dominated for Worcestershire averaging 94 in the one-day format this northern summer and Lehmann believes the veteran batsman can still earn a Test recall.
“I love Ferg, still rocks up to training and acts like and an 18-year-old, still wants the baggy green, has the drive. He is a great player, competitor,” said Lehmann.
“You saw Peter Siddle get a recall so I am sure he will try and achieve that.”
Redbacks squad
Jake Lehmann (c), Alex Carey, Tom Cooper, Callum Ferguson, Spencer Johnson, Joe Mennie, Harry Nielsen, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Chadd Sayers, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Daniel Worrall, Adam Zampa.