Darren Lehmann has signed a contract extension to remain as Australia coach until October 2019.
The 46-year-old, who played 27 Tests and 117 one-day internationals for his country, will now oversee Australia’s next two Ashes series plus their Champions Trophy and World Cup campaigns.
Lehmann was appointed to the role shortly before the 2013 Ashes, which England won 3-0, after Mickey Arthur was sacked following a dismal tour of India.
The former batsman has enjoyed success at the helm, including leading Australia to an Ashes whitewash and World Cup triumph, both on home soil in 2013/14 and 2015 respectively, plus a Test series victory over South Africa in their own back yard.
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Australia have suffered a resounding 2-0 defeat to Pakistan in the UAE and a 3-2 Ashes loss in England in 2015 under the watch of Lehmann, but despite the retirements of several leading players, they are ranked number one in the world in both Test and ODIs.
“2019 is such a big year for Australian cricket and we wanted certainty and stability for the playing group with both the coach and assistant coach contracted as we build towards the Ashes series and the 2019 World Cup,” Cricket Australia executive general manager Pat Howard told cricket.com.au.
“Darren has had great success in the role and he and the national selection panel deserve a huge amount of credit for taking a relatively young side to No 1 in the world in two of the three formats.
“What often goes unseen is how big a supporter Darren has been of the wider cricket system in Australia, and that is crucial to the long-term sustainability of Australian cricket.
“The commitment he shows to the role goes far broader than that of the Australian men’s team and extends into the global support of the game through his work on the ICC Cricket Committee.”
Lehmann, who saw his side lose the first of three Tests in Sri Lanka on Saturday, said: “I am incredibly grateful for the support and faith the Cricket Australia board and the players have put in me.
“I absolutely love doing this job and as far as I am concerned, it is the best job in the world.
“There is still a lot I would like to achieve in the time I have left and we have a lot of hard work ahead of us, especially with an upcoming Test series in India and a home Ashes series.”
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