Lehmann safe despite Ashes debacle

Darren Lehmann's position as coach is not in danger, but the team's style of play away from home will be reviewed after England reclaimed the Ashes, the Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has said. Less than a fortnight ago the Investec Ashes series was tied 1-1, and the swiftness of the defeat has been startling: at both Edgbaston and Trent Bridge, the Australians barely took the match into the third day.

It has left Australia's players, coaches and administrators red-faced, and has precipitated the retirement of captain Michael Clarke, with further generational change among the playing group likely. However, speaking in Melbourne on the morning after the Trent Bridge loss, Sutherland gave an emphatic "yes" when asked if Lehmann's job was safe.

But the way the Australians have lost the past two Tests - over-aggressive and technically deficient batting combined with impatient bowling - will leave Lehmann with a significant task ahead of him. He has often spoken of aggressive play being the Australian way, but in swinging and seaming conditions against quality bowling, it has backfired spectacularly, as it has in the past on spinning surfaces.

"We'll sit down and review that, and the cricket experts will review that and no doubt others," Sutherland said. "That's an opportunity for reflection on style of play, and all of that. We all understand that it's not easy playing away, but it's something that we've clearly got to get better at. We have the highest aspirations for the Australian cricket team."

Under Clarke's captaincy, Australia have enjoyed some spectacular triumphs at home but have lost two Ashes series in England, and have been crushed by India in India and by Pakistan in the UAE. Their only away series wins have been in South Africa, where the conditions are similar to home, and Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

"There is a lot of talk about performances away, but [almost] no one wins away," Sutherland said. "In international cricket it's only the very best teams in the world that win away. South Africa have probably been the best at it in recent times, and it's no coincidence that they're on top. We need to get better at it.

"It's not something that we're not aware of. Right now as I speak, we've got our Under-19 team in England playing in UK conditions, we've got our Australia A team in India playing in subcontinental conditions. It's something we're very aware of and we're working hard on, and it's not something that happens overnight."

Sutherland also endorsed Steven Smith as the successor to Clarke as captain, but said the decision on who would be Smith's deputy was less obvious. Australia's next Test series is in Bangladesh in October, and the selection panel will need to assess the state of the playing group and, potentially, decide on the futures of some squad members before a vice-captain is recommended.

"Steven's ready for this challenge," Sutherland said. "But as anyone will tell you who has been a Test cricket captain, it's not an easy job, it's not an easy transition. No one is ready made to just walk in and make a great success of it. But we still have every confidence in Steven. The decision hasn't been made but he's clearly the heir apparent and we will provide him with all the support in time."

Sutherland paid tribute to the retiring Clarke, who despite leaving the game in defeat, guided Australia back to No.1 in the Test rankings on their tour of South Africa early last year. He said the work Clarke put in off the field, including the way he overcame a chronic back injury, were indicative of Clarke's approach to the game.

"I think he'll be remembered for his courage and the way he played the game," Sutherland said. "I don't think I can think of an Australian cricketer who has worked harder to put his best effort on the field, day after day, week after week.

"I think Michael is an aggressive and positive cricketer, and he carries that through in the way he has led his team. He led Australia back to No.1 in Test cricket. I'm not sure that any of us will ever forget that series in South Africa where Australia went to No.1, knocked off South Africa on their home turf.

"He played such a pivotal role in that last Test in Cape Town when he had a broken shoulder and made a great hundred. He's a strong and aggressive leader and I think that came out in the way the players responded to his leadership."