Internet Desk: Australian coach Darren Lehmann has come down heavily against his players following the batting collapse against South Africa in Hobart on Tuesday. Australia suffered a humiliating innings and 80 runs defeat against the visitors to lose the test series. Lehmann has indicated that only four players were sure to keep their places in the present Australian team.
Lehmann, whose coaching position is also under scrutiny after it was extended to 2019 only last August, said there will “definitely” be changes for next week’s final day-night Test in Adelaide.
As a consequence of the embarrassing loss, all the Australian batsman, including wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and spinner Nathan Lyon, was instructed to play in this week’s round of domestic Sheffield Shield before the Test squad is named on Sunday.
Lehmann, who also sits on the selection panel, said that only Smith, David Warner and pace pair Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood would be sure of keeping their spots.
“We’ve got to stop the rot, we’ve got to work out what the best XI is,” Lehmann told reporters.
“Guys playing in this Test match, some were disappointed in their performances and they get the chance to play the Shield games to put their hand up. I thought Hazlewood was great, Starc’s getting back to his best and then you’ve got Smith and Warner.
“Outside of that everyone’s got to make some runs and take some wickets. It’s a really important four days of Shield cricket.”
The axe may fall on players like Adam Voges, Joe Burns and Callum Ferguson. Nathan Lyon is also in the firing line following his dismal show with the ball. The off spinner has taken just two wickets at 120.50 each so far in the series against South Africa.
“Like everyone else, Adam’s been a very good player for us for 20-odd Test matches. End of the day he’s got to go back and make runs like everyone else,” Lehmann said.
The coach said there was a desolate mood in the dressing room after the defeat.
“Everybody is hurting in the rooms. I haven’t seen it as quiet after a loss and that’s understandable because of the performances,” he said.
“We pride ourselves on playing for our country and we haven’t done that well enough over the last three and a half days.”
He said former greats were talking with the shattered players, offering advice and support going forward.
“Mark Taylor and Shane Warne have been chatting to the guys one on one. Ian Healy, Tom Moody, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, we’ve had a lot of the legends come in,” he said.
“The young guys who are playing today looked up to them. It’s great to have them in the rooms and speaking to them.”