Lehmann backs Smith

Published August 27, 2016

SYDNEY: Australia coach Darren Lehmann has backed the decision to rest skipper Steve Smith for the remaining ODI series against Sri Lanka after criticism from ex-captain Michael Clarke, reports said on Friday.

Smith will miss three ODIs and two T20 games to return home and prepare for next month’s one-day series in South Africa.

“It’s obviously a burden but a great burden captaining your country,” Lehmann was quoted as saying in Australian newspapers on Friday.

“We just wanted to make sure that he’s fresh and ready to go for South Africa and then the big [domestic] summer ahead.

“We planned that for a long time and he took some convincing. But as a coach and a selection panel we’re making sure he’s fresh and ready to go each and every time he plays for Australia.”

Lehmann said he had no problems with Clarke’s criticism.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2016

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