8 Possible names that can replace Darren Lehmann as Australia coach

After Darren Lehmann quit as the head coach of Australia following the Sandpapergate shocker in Cape Town, the million-dollar question is who is going to fill his shoes? Lehmann had a contract with Cricket Australia to serve as the head coach until the end of World Cup 2019 but after captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned he took moral responsibility and resigned from the position. A number of names are doing the rounds at the moment, some of them are really big, and CA will have to make some fine judgement to pick up the right man. Here are eight names one among who could be the man to take up the reins when Australian cricket is facing one of its worst crises. 1. Ricky Ponting: Ricky Ponting. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) One of the most prolific run-scorers and captains in the history of Australian cricket, Ricky Ponting has also excelled as a Twenty20 assistant for the national side though in short stints. The Tasmanian, who was reluctant to take up long roles in recent years because of family commitments, is open to take up the position for a longer period. If CA goes for two coaches – one for the long format and other for the shorter ones, Ponting’s chances to grab one of those positions could be a certainty after all the good work he has done as a coach in the Indian Premier League. 2. Justin Langer: Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) The former opener was once seen as a successor to Lehmann and would have taken it up from him after the Ashes next year but the sudden exit of Lehmann has now put things in a mess. Langer has experience of coaching the national side during a ODI tour of the West Indies which Lehmann skipped. He has also mentored Western Australia and Perth Scorchers over the last six years. While Western Australia have finished as the runners-up in the Sheffield Series twice under Langer’s guidance, the Scorchers have won the Big Bash League (BBL) title thrice. The man is certainly a good option for CA. 3. Jason Gillespie: Mark Waugh and Jason Gillespie. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) The former fast bowler is a known name in the coaching circuit now. He guided the Adelaide Strikers to their first BBL title earlier this year. He has also worked as a consultant coach for CA and in the recent past, he expressed his plan to coach Sussex for three years. The drastic developments at home may force Gillespie to change his plans. The 42-year-old went close to grab the job of England’s coach ahead of the 2015 Ashes but eventually lost out to an experienced Trevor Bayliss. 4. Trevor Bayliss: Trevor Bayliss. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) The 55-year-old although did never play the game at the highest order, but his impressive record as the coach makes him a respected figure, also in his home country Australia. The man has a contract with the English team till 2019 but if CA is eyeing a limited-over coach, he could be a weighty option. Bayliss was the man behind England’s 4-1 win over Australia in their last ODI series which was a stupendous turnaround after the 0-4 humiliation in the Test series. Bayliss has also worked with New South Wales and Sydney Sixers earlier. 5. David Saker: David Saker. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Another less-known name, David Saker is currently Australia’s bowling coach who doubled up as the head coach of the team during an away ODI series against India in 2017. A former pacer in Australia’s first-class cricket, Saker, 51, had coached his home state Victoria to win the Sheffield Shield in 2016-17. The lack of international playing experience could be an obstacle for him to grab the top job. But the man is always optimistic about his ability to deliver – in all the three formats. 6. Brad Haddin: Brad Haddin. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images) The former wicketkeeper-batsman has worked as Australia’s fielding coach for a stint of six months and yet has to cover some miles to gain experience as a coach. But yet, the name of Brad Haddin who played his last Test as recently in 2015, is being heard because he is seen as a good coach material. Haddin, who hails from New South Wales, was an assistant with Australia A sides in the past and has also worked with the upcoming wicketkeepers at the National Cricket Centre in Queensland, Australia. 7. Chris Rogers: Chris Rogers. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) The 40-year-old former opening batsman for Australia is also among the probable. The man was recently picked as a coach to handle the young batting talents in Australia. Rogers, who played 25 Tests between 2008-15, is known to possess a sharp cricketing mind and he has learnt the nuances of coaching in England and Australia. He has worked with English counties like Somerset and Gloucestershire and also various Australian touring sides. It is his experience as a coach that adds weight to his contention. 8. Mike Hesson: Mike Hesson. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images) The 43-year-old New Zealander started his coaching career at the age of 22 and is serving as the coach of his home country since 2012, after his short tenure with Kenyan cricket which he ended citing security problems. Lehmann said after Sandpapergate that he would like to see Australia imbibing the more tolerant cricketing culture of their trans-Tasman rivals and CA could take a cue from that to go after Hesson. The man, however, has his stint with the Kiwis until the 2019 World Cup. Here is how the Sandpaper gate unfolded: For more news and other stories visit Crictracker.com

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8 Possible names that can replace Darren Lehmann as Australia coach

Lehmann who had a contract until the World Cup 2019 resigned after the Sandpaper gate blew out of proportion.

5. David Saker:

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