Sutherland pays tribute to departing Australia head coach Darren Lehmann
Following Darren Lehmann's resignation as Australia's head coach, Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland paid tribute to the work Lehmann has done with the Australian team.
"Given Darren's announcement just now it's appropriate for me to pay tribute to his service as coach of the Australian men's cricket team," he said. "He’s provided a fantastic service but he’s also been a part of a very successful team that has achieved a lot in his time as coach.
“They won a World Cup in 2015, a couple of winning Ashes series and at various times during the course of his tenure, the team in various formats has gone to No.1 in the world.
“I’ve seen first-hand the pride in which he’s gone about his work, the love he has for the job, his incredible work ethic and I think one of the things that really strikes me about Darren and his character as a coach is the way he genuinely cares for and loves his players.
“I have huge regard and respect for the way he’s gone about his job over the time that he’s been coach of the Australian men’s team. I want to take this opportunity to thank him on behalf of Australian cricket and Cricket Australia for his services as coach of the Australian men's team”
He also expressed concern for the welfare of all three players who were involved in the ball-tampering scandal, and requested they be given privacy in this difficult time.
"It's been clearly a difficult week for him [Lehmann], for the players involved and for Australian cricket more broadly, and I think it's fair to say that it's been most difficult for the players that have just now returned to Australia," he said. "They are obviously in a very difficult and sad place now, between CA and ACA, we will offer those players all of the support we possibly can, all of our welfare services and experts within our system but also outside.
“We will make sure we support the players and their families as best we can. I’m sure everyone at home understands the pressure and the difficult situation of those players, and I politely ask that those in the public but more specifically those in the media respect the privacy of the players and their families at what is obviously a very difficult time for them.”
He went on to reiterate his commitment to his role as Cricket Australia CEO, which has also come under some scrutiny in recent days.
“I’m absolutely committed to my job,” he said. “My employment and tenure is a matter for the board and Cricket Australia.
“I’m not resigning, and in fact what’s happened over the last few days has only strengthened my resolve to ensure that Australian cricket and the Australian cricket team gets back on track and back in a place where it has not only the full respect but the pride of the Australian community.”
Darren Lehmann will leave his position at the end of this series, and with Australia's next international assignment coming in June, Sutherland said they are in no hurry to select his replacement.
“I know there is a lot of talented coaches in the coaching ranks back in Australia, but I also reflect on the fact that amongst international cricket there are a number of coaches that are performing very well.”