There are calls for current Australian coach Justin Langer to step down from his role once Australia's Ashes campaign comes to an end.
Former coach Darren Lehmann has urged the Western Australian to take a step back, if not step down from the role. Lehmann was head coach for five years before he fell victim to the Cape Town sandpaper gate scandal.
Langer's predecessor has urged his former teammate to consider his options, saying that the demand on a coach who is in charge of all three formats of the game was too high in the current climate.
“I just don’t know in this day and age whether you can do all three formats physically or mentally for an extended period of time,” Lehmann told foxsports.com.au.
“I think he had to do it to start with and he’s done so well. Now, if I’m him, I’m saying I’ve won all I need to win and do I really need to do it all?
“Knowing Justin, he won’t want to step aside. But he should or he will burn out.
“If I was him I’d walk away actually. Four years, out on a high. Perfect.
“I coached for a year too long and in that moment I didn’t realise it. I think four years is a perfect tenure. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
“He could coach one format but all three is a lot to take on… JL knows my thoughts on that. I’ve spoken to him about it.”
Langer's current deal expires at the end of Australia's tour of Pakistan, with tours of Sri Lanka and India to follow.
There have been reports that former England and New South Wales coach Trevor Bayliss could be in line for the role should it become available.
Langer may have been forgiven for thinking he was in the clear after heading into the T20 World Cup- where Australia emerged as champions, under pressure before a dominant retaining of the Ashes.
However, his intense style has clearly worn thin on a few within the Cricket Australia system.
CA’s head of team performance, Ben Oliver said that CA was always looking for ways to improve and gain and grow.
“We‘re about trying to get better. And that goes for our coaching staff," Oliver said recently.
"It goes through our players and everyone who’s around the team. So we’ll do that as a matter of course, after the series is completed and the players’ feedback on a range of factors, including how we best support them, will be considered in that process.
“Justin’s done a great job. I think he’s really embraced the conversations that were had over the winter and he’s really evolved and leaned into that.”
