Lehmann desperate to make up for lost time

CENTURION, South Africa, Feb 13 AAP - He didn't know what he had 'til it was gone.

Darren Lehmann is itching to return to the Australian team for tomorrow's World Cup match against India after a nightmare seven-week stretch that left him so depressed he almost quit.

Lehmann's troubles began on December 21 when a blister on his left foot became infected.

He wound up in hospital, spending Christmas Day on an intravenous drip and being forced out of the last two Ashes Tests.

The real killer came in his comeback match on January 15 when he yelled a racist term within earshot of the Sri Lankan dressing room during a one-day match at the 'Gabba, earning him a five-match suspension from the International Cricket Council.

After what feels like an eternity, the ban is over.

His career as an Australian cricketer can continue and he appreciates his privileged position even more.

"Focused is the word," the 33-year-old said of his mental state.

"Just really concentrating on cricket.

"When something is taken away from you that you love, you can really get distracted but for me it's been the other way - really being focused on the job at hand and playing well.

"I'm not putting too much pressure on myself, just enjoying it.

"I'm probably enjoying my cricket more now because I've missed out on so many games in the last couple of months so for me it's a matter of enjoying every moment.

"You don't have to be blind Freddy to work out I'm probably not going to play the next World Cup, being 37 or 38, so I'm just enjoying this tournament for what it is - a World Cup."

Lehmann's crafty batting at No.6 is complemented by increasingly useful off-spinners that captain Ricky Ponting has no hesitation in calling upon.

"I wouldn't classify myself as the fifth bowler," he said.

"I think I'm a sixth bowler who can bowl a few overs for you.

"If we're bowling really well and I don't have to bowl well that's even better, that means we're bowling sides out.

"If I have to bowl a few overs hopefully I can do a job for Ricky and the side."

Ponting said: "He was a bowler you used to throw the ball to and hope you'd get three or four overs out of, for not too many runs and he might jag you a wicket. But lately he's been able to bowl longer spells and he does a good job."

Lehmann, who admitted he considered retirement after the racism ordeal, read in a magazine this week he was the fourth most economical bowler in international one-day cricket last year.

He let his team-mates know long and loud, waving the magazine in their faces, grinning broadly and laughing because he couldn't quite believe it himself.

Darren Lehmann is happy again.