Darren Lehmann has only owned the role of Australian coach for a couple of days, but with limited preparation time ahead of the first Ashes match the Australian Test side is already experiencing a change in look and mentality.
Lehmann has already implemented his first initiative- returning former vice-captain Shane Watson to preferred opening batsman position.
The 32-year-old Watson hasn’t opened a Test since the November 2011 series against South Africa, but the newly appointed coach has given Watson his full support.
“Yes. He’ll be opening for us,” Lehmann told reporters from England.
“That’s where we want him to bat and he’s done really well for us there. We’re quite keen for him to open and to have a big part in the Ashes and obviously make a lot of runs for us and start the innings up well.”
Former Test captain Ricky Ponting is of the belief that Lehmann will focus on removing the pressure surrounding his playing group in attempt to improve the team’s form.
“Above all, he will instil confidence into the young guys in the team who seem to be lacking it at the moment,” Ponting wrote in a column for The Daily Mail.
“The bottom line for me is that maybe the players had been put under too much pressure by the previous regime and that pressure needs to be released now.
“It’s hard to judge from afar but they seem to have been too scared to play the way they can.”
Although not one of the “young guys” Ponting refers to, Watson’s promotion is a clear indicator of Lehmann’s new approach. His averages with the bat are significantly higher as an opener (43 runs compared to 35) and his only two Test centuries have come while playing in that role.
At former coach Mickey Arthur’s outgoing press conference on Monday, Lehmann talked about installing an “aggressive brand of cricket” at the Test level- one that will presumably rid the side of constant rotational changes, instead opting to play the best 11 and fight for the win.
Australia is currently playing an Ashes warm-up against Somerset, kicking off yesterday’s proceedings by bowling out the English club for 320 on day one.
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