Darren Lehmann expects an "aggressive" series against India
Australian team head coach Darren Lehmann expects the upcoming series against India to be an exciting one. The former Australian batsman believes the series to be an "aggressive" one against Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s India. India is scheduled to play a three-match T20 series and five-match ODI series against Australia this month.
The limited-overs series begins in Australia on January 12. Australia, who are the current World Champions, are keen to get going in the one-dayers against the Indian side. Australia have enjoyed big wins against the West Indies side in a recently-concluded Test series.
In a press conference at WACA Lehmann said, "They are a good one-day side as they made the semis of the World Cup. They are a quality side so from our point of view we have got to start well and play well against them. We haven't played in Perth for a while, so that is exciting for us and I feel it's a fast bouncy track."
Indians are playing an aggressive brand of cricket: Lehmann
The Australian coach added, "They are playing an aggressive brand of cricket as well, so I don't really see that changing in the next five games."
Australia will be missing the services of the retired Mitchell Johnson and an injured Mitchell Starc against India. But Lehmann believes the youngsters are ready for the challenge.
The 45 year old said, "It will be a good challenge for them. We play top cricket and India play the same way, so it will be an exciting series."
Lehmann insisted that his side will not face much problem changing gears from the longer format to the limited-overs format. He revealed that the Big Bash League (BBL) will help the Australian players to adapt quickly to the shorter formats.
He said, "The blokes change pretty quickly and we have changed our squad around a fair bit and it is nice to see the guys play a bit of T20 and white ball cricket, nice bit of transition for us.”
Talking about the seniors, Lehmann said that skipper Steven Smith and especially David Warner are very keen to unleash against India. Warner is currently juggling between thoughts of cricket and his own family. Warner and his wife are expecting a second child in the later half of January and for this reason he is likely that he will miss the last three ODIs.
The former batsman said, "Warner and Smith will certainly play. Of course Daves is going to and fro with the baby but that will be later and he is keen to play. Yes, if something happens earlier, we have an extra batter to take his place."
Lehmann said that the team-management is leaving the batting line-up to the captain to decide. He also explained that the think-tank is happy with Mitchell Marsh's No.6 position.
The South Australian said, "That's up to the captain what he wants to do in the batting order, but from our point of view we are happy where he is. We would love to have more time, but he has had that opportunity in the Test series. He will get a chance somewhere if he starts well. He has played well in the one-day format for us in England, he was man of the series.”