Cricket World Cup 2015: Steve Smith defends Darren Lehmann after Shane Warne’s criticism

AUSTRALIA is determined not to have its World Cup campaign derailed by Shane Warne, if Steve Smith’s defence of Darren Lehmann are anything to go by.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - FEBRUARY 27: Shane Warne speaks to players during an Australian nets session at Newlands Stadium on February 27, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images)

CRICKET Australia have attempted to hose down talk of deep-rooted tension between captain and coach, as the team arrived in Auckland determined not to have their World Cup campaign derailed by Shane Warne.

The leg-spinning great has opened a can of worms with his accusations over the weekend that Darren Lehmann has risen above his station as coach and impinged on Michael Clarke’s authority as captain.

Whether Warne was simply shooting his mouth off as he’s prone to do or is reflecting the attitude of his best friend Clarke, he’s created an awkward situation inside the Australian camp heading into the biggest game of the tournament.

Clarke can hardly be pleased with the timing of the outburst, given hostilities between he and selectors had apparently calmed as a result of his gallant injury comeback.

WARNE HAS CRACK AT BOOF’S LEADERSHIP

Michael Clarke and Darren Lehmann exchange views. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

It’s an unwanted distraction for Australia to deal with as they attempt to topple New Zealand at its Eden Park fortress on Saturday with no match practice in two weeks.

Warne called on CA to address Lehmann’s growing influence, but the game’s chief executive James Sutherland declined to comment on Sunday.

The organisation has tried to explain the controversy as typical of Warne’s outspoken nature.

Warne is entitled to have his say, however, the question being asked around cricket circles is whether he’s being briefed with information from within the inner-sanctum.

Steve Smith, who has been Australia’s primary captain throughout the summer, shot down Warne’s suggestion that Lehmann was attempting to take over duties traditionally reserved for the skipper.

“It’s exclusively up to the captain what happens out there,” said Smith.

“Your breaks in play and stuff throughout Test matches – all that kind of thing he comes and gives a bit of what he thinks we can do in the next session … but the captain is the one that runs the ship.”

Warne’s overall insinuation on 2GB sports show The Allrounders appeared to be that Lehmann had received too much credit for Australia’s resurgence last Ashes summer, when he was simply complementing the outstanding role of Clarke.

However as a specific example of Lehmann throwing out the power balance, Warne accused the coach of taking over Australia’s controversial declaration during the Boxing Day Test against India instead of Smith.

Warne is completely wrong with that assertion according to Smith, as the young leader stood by his coach.

“I was (exclusively in charge),” said Smith.

“I think Boof was sitting on the sideline where he tends to sit here and there to watch the cricket and I was up the top actually trying to call the guys in, but they couldn’t see me.

“He sort of just said, ‘look up there, he’s calling them in.’

Shane Warne was employed by Cricket Australia as a spin consultant less than a year ago.

“They showed him on the TV actually doing it, but I was up the top doing it. It was me.

“I don’t think (Warne’s comments are destabilising). Everyone that was playing that Test match knew what was going on – knew that I’d made that declaration.

“I think Boof has done a terrific job around the group as coach. He’s done an outstanding job getting all the players together.

“We’re in a good place.”

Former Australian star Michael Bevan, an ex-teammate of Lehmann and Warne’s says the drama would undoubtedly have come up in the dressing rooms at Gabba during Saturday’s washout against Bangladesh.

“I think it would have caused some concern within their scrabble game, definitely,” Bevan told ESPNcricinfo.

“I can’t really understand what Warnie is talking about to be fair, I’m a bit confused.

“Smith was a reasonably new captain and I think Lehmann would have been entitled to have some strong conversations regarding what they thought was acceptable and how they wanted to approach (the declaration).”

Former England star Jonathan Trott described Warne’s comments as “the only real concern” World Cup favourites Australia have at the moment.