Jake Lehmann says England great Jimmy Anderson put cricket into perspective at Lancashire
South Australian batsman Jake Lehmann’s quest for consistency has been helped by a stint at Lancashire where he was able to pick the brains of an English bowling champion.
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South Australian batsman Jake Lehmann enters the Marsh Cup hardened by a roller coaster 2018-19, wisdom from England legend Jimmy Anderson and compelling one-day form for Lancashire.
Neil Dansie medallist Lehmann averaged 51 in last year’s one-day series for South Australia then struck 191 runs at 63.6 in four one-day games for County side Lancashire during May on challenging surfaces
“Going over to the UK and experiencing different conditions and how they go through it at Lancashire was awesome,” Lehmann told The Advertiser.
“Playing with world class cricketers like Jimmy Anderson, Keaton Jennings, Glenn Maxwell and seeing how they prepare for games, what they are focusing on was a real eye opener for me as well.”
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Lehmann started the Sheffield Shield season with a ton (126) against Queensland before a move to No. 3 saw the left-hander’s aggregate taper to 572 at 31. Time spent with England record Test wickettaker Anderson at Old Trafford saw Lehmann find priceless perspective.
“There are tough times and great times. I have really enjoyed the off-season just to know there isn’t one right or wrong way. The more you play in different conditions the better you will get,” said Lehmann.
“I like to bat as high as I can and probably didn’t work as well at No. 3 as I would have liked but it was great experience. I wouldn’t take that back at all, it taught me a lot about the game.”
Blazing starts to the season are Lehmann’s trademark since debuting in 2015 but the 27-year-old says it’s time to deliver across the summer.
“I have tendered to do that. The drive is to find that consistency. I didn’t quite do that last year. The goal is to be consistent for six months not three or four,” said Lehmann.
Acting captain responsibility in this week’s opening one-day games against Queensland and New South Wales in Brisbane has sharpened Lehmann’s focus. Travis Head was instructed to rest by Cricket Australia after a marathon Ashes tour leaving Lehmann to lead as he did in the Australian batsman’s absence last season.
“It’s disappointing that Heady is away for the first couple of games but pumped every time you get the opportunity to captain the state,” said Lehmann.
Originally published as Jake Lehmann says England great Jimmy Anderson put cricket into perspective at Lancashire