Hohns ignores Lehmann's offer

Australia's chairman of selectors has rejected the offer from Darren Lehmann to give up his Test spot for Michael Clarke.

Trevor Hohns said Lehmann's suggestion was typical of his team-first attitude and he was not talking about retirement. "We'll pick the best side we think we should put on the field, irrelevant of what Darren is saying," Hohns said. "He's hell-bent on scoring a lot of runs in this game. But he thinks Michael Clarke is just a wonderful talent."

Clarke debuted with a stunning century at Bangalore and Hohns said he hoped Lehmann would perform strongly in Chennai to give the selectors "an even more difficult" decision when Ricky Ponting, who will miss the third Test, returns from a thumb injury.

Adam Gilchrist, the stand-in captain, said Lehmann was a crucial member of the squad. "He's just a realist who understands the scenario and in typical team fashion he's trying to make a very difficult time easier," he said.