Lehmann hoping for New Zealand Tour return

Omnisports

January 31, 2016 4:35 AM

Australia coach Darren Lehmann is no certainty to make it to New Zealand for his side's upcoming Test series but is remaining optimistic over his chances.

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Darren Lehmann is no certainty to make it to New Zealand for his side's upcoming Test series but the Australia coach is remaining optimistic.

Lehmann was hospitalised seven days ago after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis during Australia's one-day international against India in Sydney.

The 45-year-old's condition saw him miss the rest of Australia's Twenty20 series against India, but Lehmann is hoping he can travel across the Tasman for the Tests in Wellington and Christchurch.

"Still recovering from the DVT but for me it's just about hopefully getting medical clearance later on in the week and see where we go from there and join the New Zealand crew," Lehmann said on Sunday.

"But until medical clearance comes through that I can fly, I'll have to wait and see. But I'm feeling a lot better.

"I've had it before, so I knew straightaway what was going to happen, it was straight to hospital and then in overnight and straight onto the thinning tablets now.

"It's a case of getting the blood right. Having been through it before you know what's happening.

"Now the specialists are pretty comfortable they'll get it under control. End of the day I sleep on the plane, I probably shouldn't be sleeping too much and moving around [more], but it's one of those things, in our job you fly a lot. You've just got to be careful."

Lehmann said he was happy after hearing Michael Clarke is making his return to cricket after a five-month sabbatical.

"I spoke to him this morning," he said. "He'll play this grade game in February and see where it takes him from there.

"It's great to have one of the greats back. He's obviously missed the game, loves the game, so I'm pleased for him to be starting back in club cricket and see where it goes from there.

"That's what we want from the older guys, staying in the game. Let him get back and play some cricket and see where it takes him."

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