A TEARY Darren Lehmann has quit as coach of Australia’s cricket team.
Australia’s fourth Test against South Africa, which starts in Johannesburg on Friday, will be Lehmann’s final match in charge.
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Lehmann read a prepared statement and took a few questions, struggling to keep his composure.
But that was nothing compared to the emotional scenes behind closed doors, when he told players he would be quitting.
“Speaking to the players and saying goodbye, telling them the news. That was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do,” Lehmann said.
“Watching those two young men (Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft break down in tears) … it’s been unbelievable.”
Lehmann was set to step down when his current contract expired at the end of the 2019 Ashes, but the cheating scandal has forced him to reconsider that plan.
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A sleep-deprived Lehmann thanked his family for support, overlooking World Cup glory and Ashes series wins when asked to nominate his proudest moment as coach.
“The way we dealt with Phillip Hughes,” Lehmann sobbed.
“We’re only playing a game.
“We lost a great young man and the way we tried to deal with that was my proudest moment as coach.”
Meanwhile at nearly the same time at Sydney Airport, David Warner and his wife Candice and their two little girls ran the media gauntlet and issued a short statement.
“As you can understand it’s been a tough and emotional time for my wife and the kids,” Warner told the media throng
“At this present time, you’ll hear from me in a couple of days.
“At the moment my priority is to get these kids in bed and rest up and let my mind be clear so I can think and talk to you in a couple of days.”
