Darren Lehmann wants Australians and South Africans to ‘chat’ after bad-tempered test match

AFTER a fractious ending to the first Test in Durban, Darren Lehmannn wants the Aussies and South Africans to sit down for a ‘chat’ to ease escalating tensions between the two teams.

Darren Lehmann has suggested a “chat” might help ease rising tensions between Australia and South Africa.

AUSSIE coach Darren Lehmann expects the coaches and captains of both teams to ‘chat’ before the second Test against South Africa starts in Port Elizabeth on Friday after a bad-tempered start to the series.

Lehmann was talkingafter an acrimonious ending to the first Test in Durban after leaked closed-circuit television footage showed a confrontation between David Warner and Quinton de Kock.

In a video posted on Cricket Australia’s website, Lehmann said he continued to back Warner as the team’s vice-captain as the Australians hunt a 2-0 series lead.

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Asked whether there would be talks between the two sides in a bid to reduce hostilities, Lehmann said: “I’m sure the coaches will chat and the captains will chat and we’ll get away to play the game.”

With both sides blaming the other for sparking the incident by making personal insults, Lehmann said: “Everyone has their own opinion.”

He expected the remaining three Tests to be highly competitive.

“Both sides are going to push the boundaries. That’s part and parcel of the game. It’s a bloody tough game out there.” Lehmann said the key was to avoid personal insults.

The players come between David Warner and Quinton de Kock.

“We’ve got to make sure we don’t cross the line,” he said.

Lehmann said the incident had detracted from what he described as “a great game of cricket”, which Australia won by 118 runs.