Lehmann: Aussies are rusty but ready

Australia coach Darren Lehmann has take the pressure off his players heading into the tri-series against South Africa and hosts Zimbabwe, conceding that they will be a bit 'rusty' after not playing for five months.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann has take the pressure off his players heading into the tri-series against South Africa and hosts Zimbabwe, conceding that they will be a bit 'rusty' after not playing for five months.
The Aussies go to Zimbabwe to start their World Cup preparations, having not played an international since the World Twenty20 in April, and Lehmann felt it was a good break after a long year of two Ashes, a tour to South Africa and other series.
Lehmann said: "Professionally, everyone was tired – coaches were tired, players were very tired, and they did an amazing amount of work in 12 months. So to get a break before we go on the road for two years was pretty important.
"Now the [challenge] is getting us back up to the skill level that we need to compete at international cricket. We've got Zimbabwe and South Africa and then we've obviously got a big test in the UAE. I think everyone is jumping out, they just want to play.
"We're going to be a bit rusty with the skills, but that's okay. We're gonna make mistakes, but that's okay. What we need to do is build and build and build to become a better Test side, a better one-day side, a better Twenty20 side."
He was then asked about batsman Phil Hughes' chances of playing in Zimbabwe, and Lehmann said that he hoped everyone would get a go, but that they would start out at full strength and go from there.
He added of Hughes: "He's in the squad and if he gets a chance I'm sure he'll take it. We have to find the right balance, whoever that is, whether that's Phillip in or not in for the first game, we have to sum up the conditions.
"We have to make sure we get away to a good start, so we'll be at full-strength early and then see what happens with the tournament from there, how the wickets play and whether it spins or doesn't."
Latest
-
News
Jos Buttler determined to keep standards high with gloves and bat in Sri Lanka
The 30-year-old has Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow for competition in the England side.
-
News
England’s Dom Bess thinks pitch for Friday’s warm-up won’t be repeated in series
England finally took to the pitch in Hambantota for a low-key workout between Team Root and Team Buttler.
-
News
Proteas name Test squad for Pakistan tour
South Africa have named a 21-man touring party for the two-Test series in Pakistan.
-
News
Smith makes distinction between out of runs and out of form
Steve Smith put paid to the suggestion he was out of form with a fighting hundred against India.
-
News
England warm-up under way in Sri Lanka
The touring squad has returned a second round of clear Covid-19 tests following Moeen Ali’s positive result.
-
News
Jack Leach awaiting Covid vaccine news after ‘scary’ vulnerable classification
The England spinner takes medication for Crohn’s disease, leaving his immune system weakened.
-
News
Jonny Bairstow ready to tap into Jacques Kallis class during Sri Lanka tour
The England batsman is enthused about working with the Proteas great.
-
News
Heather Knight to lead England in ‘historic’ Pakistan tour
England Women will play two T20s and three ODIs in Karachi later this year.
-
News
Claire Polosak makes history as first woman to officiate a men’s Test
Claire Polosak continues to blaze a trail for women in umpiring.
-
News
Pooran insists West Indies will be a T20 World Cup threat
You would be foolish to discount the West Indies in the short format despite their poor run of late.