I Would Love to Coach Australia - Shane Warne
With Australia head coach Darren Lehmann confirming he would not extend his current contract with the national team, spin legend Shane Warne has thrown his hat in the ring. However, the former Australia spin spearhead would take up the job only if time permits.
Lehmann, on Monday (December 25), confirmed he would step down from his post after his current contract expires following the Ashes in 2019. The former Australia batsman has been at the helm since replacing Mickey Arthur in 2013, guiding Australia to a couple of Ashes wins and a 50-over World Cup.
But with the globetrotting taking a toll on his health and also not giving him enough time to relax, Lehmann has made up his mind on parting ways with Australia in 2019.
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And with the position now all set to become vacant in 2019, Warne has said he would consider answering the call should one come his way once Lehmann quits. The former leggie has a good experience as a coaching consultant and mentor. He had also worked with Australia in the past, having mentored the side in 2014 ahead of the World T20 in Bangladesh.
“I’ve always been open to (coaching) any country, but obviously I would love to coach Australia – not coach Australia but be part of the Australian set-up if they needed it,” Warne said on Wide World of Sports.
“We’ve got so many good coaches around, so many good batting coaches, bowling coaches and people on offer. So, if the opportunity ever arose yeah, look, maybe interested, for sure. It just all depends on the time. If Boof (Lehmann) has had enough, maybe he’ll say ‘Do you want to have a go’, I’ll have a crack,” he added.
Meanwhile, Australia’s current assistant coach David Saker and Western Australia head coach Justin Langer are seen as the two top contenders to replace Lehmann. Both of them have already filled in for Lehmann in recent times in the latter’s absence.
Saker stood in for Lehmann when Australia toured India for a limited-overs series early this year while former opener Justin Langer coached the team for home T20 series against Sri Lanka in February. Langer also stood in for Lehmann during the tri-series in West Indies last year.
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Warne, the leading Test wicket-taker for Australia, further revealed why he decided to bring down curtains on his illustrious international career following the 2006-07 Ashes.
“After doing it (playing cricket for Australia) for the best part of 20 years I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I used to,” Warne said when asked why he retired.
“Body started to hurt a bit. In retrospect, I went on to play four years of IPL, two years of Big Bash and bowled pretty well, so I probably could’ve played for a few more years.
“But the travel away from home and I also wanted to spend more time with my kids; they were getting older and older. So, a combination of many factors but mainly being at home with my kids and my body,” he added.
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