Darren Lehmann Backs Justin Langer as a Strong Candidate for England Test Coach

Darren Lehmann has said his former Australia team-mate Justin Langer would make a very good England Test head coach, even as he played down any interest in the job himself.

The vacancy arose after Brendon McCullum left the post following England’s 2-1 Test series defeat to New Zealand. Lehmann told Sky Sports he has not been approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board and suspects the board already has someone in mind, reasoning that a coach removed in mid-summer usually means a replacement is lined up. He added that he would listen if a call came, and expects there are plenty of applicants.

Happy at Northamptonshire

Lehmann stressed he is content in his current role at Northamptonshire. He recently guided the Steelbacks to their third T20 Blast title, beating Hampshire Hawks in the final in Birmingham on Saturday, July 18.

The case for Langer

Langer is reportedly among the leading contenders after Andy Flower turned down the chance. Lehmann said that if Langer chose to go for it, he would be an excellent coach, and that whoever gets the job will inherit talented players, with good prospects also visible in the county system.

Langer helped rebuild Australian cricket after the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal and turned the side into one of the strongest in Test cricket. Under him Australia retained the Ashes in England in 2019 and then won 4-0 at home in 2022.

Jonathan Trott, Stephen Fleming, Richard Dawson and Kumar Sangakkara are also reportedly among the names England are considering.