Lehmann to work with future stars

Former Australia head coach Darren Lehmann will see out his contract with Cricket Australia by working with some future stars of the game under National Performance Program head coach Troy Cooley.

Lehmann, who worked out of the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane when he wasn't on the road with the national side, will link up with Cooley, Ryan Harris and Chris Rogers, who will oversee the development of the National Performance Squad (NPS) over the winter months.

His role will focus largely on the NPS but also encompass other pathways programs within the CA set-up.

The 48-year-old mentor was contracted as head coach of the men's national side until 2019, but resigned following the Cape Town ball-tampering fiasco, despite being cleared of any wrongdoing.

He will now work with CA in his new position until October.

"I had a good chat with 'Boof' (Lehmann) and he was really keen to continue his coaching," Cooley told cricket.com.au.

"And what a great opportunity – having his expert skills in the areas that we need.

"He'll work with our targeted group of NPS players, but we'll also have our specialist blocks come in; so his first four weeks will coincide with our spin program, which involves eight spinners from around the country plus the 10 NPS players.

"They'll all be able to talk to Darren about playing on subcontinental wickets, get his T20 thoughts, one-day and long-format thoughts about how to play and how to adjust your training.

"To have someone who's got that experience matching up with our coaching staff, it's invaluable.

"It's also great experience for our coaches in 'Ryno' (Harris) and 'Buck' (Rogers), who are still learning their craft.

"And Darren has already told me he is relishing the opportunity, so it's win-win all round."

After almost five years as national coach, the shift is a significant one for Lehmann, who is set to take a more hands-on role with some of the country's brightest young talents.

The NPS includes young leg-spinner Lloyd Pope from South Australia, who was a star of this year's Under 19s World Cup, as well as dashing Redbacks opener Jake Weatherald, who has already made an impact at first-class and KFC Big Bash levels.

"These kids are learning how to put their games together still," Cooley said. "They're coming in having not really experienced the subcontinent, and we've got our pitches up here which we will expose them to.

"Part of our remit here is to give them that international flavour because these are kids we've identified as being able to handle that.

"And then you've got someone like Boof coming in, with practical experience in the subcontinent, who can ask questions of them, and help them solve the problems they confront along the way.

"He has that game sense, and an ability to transfer his method to the players he is coaching. He was the head coach of Australia for a good reason."

2018 Male National Performance Squad: Jack Edwards (NSW), Cameron Green (WA), Ryan Hadley (NSW), Baxter Holt (NSW), Nathan McSweeney (QLD), Jonathan Merlo (VIC), Joshua Philippe (WA), Lloyd Pope (SA), Chad Sammut (NSW), Jake Weatherald (SA).

Spin Program: Michael Cormack (SA), Thomas Engelbrecht (ACT), Daniel Fallins (NSW), Matt Kuhnemann (QLD), Arjun Nair (NSW), Thomas O'Connell (SA), Jason Sangha (NSW), Param Uppal (NSW)

Pace Program: Zak Evans (VIC), David Grant (SA), Spencer Johnson (SA), Mickey Edwards (NSW), David Moody (WA), Jack Prestwidge (QLD), Will Sutherland (VIC), Henry Thornton (NSW), Nick Winter (SA)

Fielding and Wicketkeeping Program: Josh Inglis (WA), Matthew Gilkes (ACT), Austin Waugh (NSW), Lewin Maladay (QLD)