Australia coach Darren Lehmann confident of New Zealand return

Omnisports

January 31, 2016 2:59 AM

Darren Lehmann is waiting for medical advice on whether he can travel to New Zealand, but is confident he will make the Test series.

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Australia coach Darren Lehmann is confident he will be able to travel to New Zealand for the two-match Test series next month.

Michael Di Venuto is in temporary charge of Australia as Lehmann recovers from deep vein thrombosis.

Di Venuto will also stand in during the three-match one-day international series against the Black Caps, which begins at Eden Park on Wednesday.

Lehmann watched Australia slump to a Twenty20 series whitewash against India at the SCG on Sunday and revealed he is optimistic of resuming his duties in New Zealand.

He said: "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 group.

"But until medical clearance comes through to fly, I'll have to wait and see. I'm feeling pretty confident. I feel a lot better now.

"I've had some good care and it's been a nice relaxing week, although watching us not play so well [against India] hasn't been that relaxing."

Shane Watson staked his claim for a place in the World Twenty20 squad by making the second highest score in the shortest format of the game at international level in the three-wicket defeat to India.

Watson will be hoping his 124 not out from only 71 balls books his ticket to India and Lehmann said he has almost decided his squad for the tournament, which starts in March.

"We're pretty close to our squad now, there's obviously a couple of spots up for grabs," he said.

"But we're pretty close to where we want to go and how we want to go about it. We're having a good chance to see some young guys perform at the next level after really good BBL [Big Bash League] performances, so that's important for the future as well."

Omnisports

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