Lehmann could be a selector

Darren Lehmann could replace Allan Border as a national selector, despite still playing first-class cricket for South Australia. The South Australian Cricket Association have nominated him to fill the vacancy created by Border's resignation in April. And despite the potential for conflict of interest, Trevor Hohns - chairman of the selection panel - refused to rule out the possibility that Lehmann might be taken on board.

Lehmann was omitted from the Ashes squad, and has little chance of wearing the baggy green again, but despite his enthusiasm for the selector's job, he could face stiff opposition from the powerful Victoria and New South Wales representation on the Cricket Australia board. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Ray Bright, the Victorian nominee, and Marshall Rosen, the New South Wales alternative, are both ahead of Lehmann in the race. South Australia already has a representative on the panel in Andrew Hilditch.

Hohns, who reckoned that Lehmann would make a fine selector one day, told the paper: "Whether Cricket Australia would be comfortable with the idea of a guy who's still playing being a selector, I'm not sure. But in my opinion Darren would be an ideal type for the job. He's got a good manner about him, and gets on well with other players."

Lehmann was a valuable source of advice and experience for Ricky Ponting when he took over from Steve Waugh as captain, and Hohns suggested that it would make sense to pick someone who was clued in to the inticacies of the modern game. "Having a guy who only recently finished playing has its attractions in terms of knowing what players go through," Hohns said.

With Matthew Elliott moving from Victoria to give South Australia's young team another shot of experience, Lehmann plans to play on a couple more seasons. Hohns suggested that such a decision wouldn't be held against him.

Apart from Lehmann, Bright and Rosen, Western Australia's Tom Hogan is also a contender, but Michael Brown, Cricket Australia's operations manager, said that an interviewing process could also involve other candidates approached to take up the job. The new appointment will be confirmed during CA's board meeting in early June.