Darren Lehmann dismisses talks of England Test coaching approach

Darren Lehmann has confirmed that he has not been approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to become the next head coach of the England men's Test team. 

The former Australia middle-order batter, who guided Northamptonshire to a record-equaling third T20 Blast title on Saturday (July 18) with a 14-run win over Hampshire, also mentioned that the ECB had "already made the decision and got someone behind the scenes" as Brendon McCullum's successor.

"I'm not sure my wife wants me to spend 300 days [a year] away again," Lehmann was quoted as saying by Cricinfo. "I haven't spoken to them, so there's no point worrying about it. For me, if they've got rid of Brendon McCullum, they've already made the decision and got someone behind the scenes, because that's how it works."

Lehmann holds significant experience when it comes to coaching in the international circuit. Under Lehmann's guidance, Australia clinched their fifth ODI World Cup title in 2015 with Michael Clarke as captain. Under his tutelage, Australia whitewashed England in the Ashes in 2013/14 and beat India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home in the wake of Phillip Hughes' death. 

He met a disgraceful exit after Australia found themselves at the centre of the ball tampering scandal, commonly known as Sandpapergate, in the Newlands Test of 2018 against South Africa.

Meanwhile, former Zimbabwe captain Andy Flower has already declined the ECB's offer to coach the Test side. Reports suggest that Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming and Richard Dawson are the strongest contenders to land the job.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has strongly advocated for Jonathan Trott, who is currently without a contract, having quit his role as the head coach of Afghanistan after the end of their campaign at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup earlier this year.