West Indies v Australia: Darren Lehmann not distracted by Ashes talk just yet

AUSTRALIA coach Darren Lehmann couldn’t have been more relaxed than after his side crushed West Indies in three days for a nine-wicket win in the first Test.

1st Test - Australia v West Indies: Day 2

THAT’S the Frank Worrell Trophy retained. Time for beers.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann couldn’t have been more relaxed than after his side crushed West Indies in three days for a nine-wicket win in the first Test at Windsor Park.

Michael Clarke’s side leads the two-match series one-nil with the second Test due to start in Jamaica on Friday morning (EST).

The Aussies will leave for London on June 16 and will only then, according to Lehmann, go into Ashes preparation mode.

The Aussies are totally focused on the second Test, says Darren Lehmann.

Lehmann, who took over from Mickey Arthur as coach a couple of weeks before the first Ashes Test of the 2013 series, has reminded his players to clear their minds of thoughts of the old enemy for now.

“One of the things you can’t do is look too far ahead,” Lehmann said.

“There’s an eye on the Ashes and everyone is speaking about the Ashes, but all we can do is worry about our next Test match.

“It will be bloody important for us.”

Lehmann emerged from the changerooms with a beer in hand after the first Test success in Dominica in keeping with his message to the players to take some down time.

He said completing the victory on day three was “fantastic if you want a beer”.

“For us, it’s more relaxing,” he said.

“We’ve probably had 16 days on the trot now of training and playing.

“A couple of days off will be great to freshen everyone up and away we go again about our prep for Jamaica.”

Lehmann says he takes pride in seeing his players grow as people on and off the field during his reign and likes the exciting brand of cricket they play.

His former Test teammate, Glenn McGrath, is expecting ex-NSW mentor Trevor Bayliss to bring a similar playing style to England.

But McGrath is also predicting his usual 5-0 sweep by Australia.

Darren Lehmann says the Aussies are playing an exciting brand of cricket.

McGrath agrees with Shane Warne that England captain Alastair Cook doesn’t have the same tactical feel for the game as Clarke.

Lehmann says Bayliss, who coached Australia’s T20 side in a home series against South Africa last summer, has plenty to offer.

“He knows our boys really well,” Lehmann said.

“It’s going to be a great challenge to come up against him.”

Originally published as West Indies v Australia: Darren Lehmann not distracted by Ashes talk just yet