Former Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann recovering from heart scare
Former Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann will undergo surgery after suffering a heart scare.
Cricket
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Darren Lehmann is recovering in hospital will require surgery on Saturday after suffering a heart scare on the morning of his 50th birthday.
The former Australian coach felt something was amiss while on the Gold Coast watching son Jake playing against an England outfit on Wednesday and took swift action in seeking out medical advice.
Lehmann acted immediately after sensing some abnormalities and chest pain and it’s understood the prognosis is positive.
He will undergo bypass surgery in Brisbane on Saturday and has thanked Australian cricket fans for their support.
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“I would like to thank everyone in the Australian cricket family for their concern,” Lehmann said.
“I am receiving the best of medical care and am confident I’ll be back on my feet soon.”
Lehmann’s family have requested privacy during his recovery.
The popular coach’s many friends around the cricket world were in upbeat spirits on Wednesday night about the man known as ‘Boof’.
Lehmann, who turned 50 on Wednesday, is due to take up a coaching position at England’s new Hundred competition later this year, after just completing his first season back at the helm of the Brisbane Heat in the BBL.
The former Test star has been solidly rebuilding his career two years on from the ball tampering saga, and has also been a regular on television and radio broadcasts since stepping away as Australian coach.
Lehmann was Australian coach for almost five years and led the 2015 side to a memorable World Cup on home soil as well as a 2013-14 Ashes whitewash.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said recently Lehmann’s finest hour as coach was the way he brought a shattered team together in the wake of Phil Hughes’ tragic death.
Lehmann calmed his players and gave them the option not to play in that emotion-charged Adelaide Test if they didn’t feel ready – and it sparked a resounding response from the group.
Although Lehmann’s Heat fell short of the finals, the players gravitated to his presence as he returned to the post that helped launch his coaching career in the inaugural years of the BBL.
The dedicated family man has four children and his eldest son, Jake, has just this week been captaining the Cricket Australia XI and has been a leading run-scorer in domestic cricket in recent years.