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Rediff.com  » Sports » Reprieve for Lehmann

Reprieve for Lehmann

January 17, 2003 13:25 IST
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VB Series (Aus, SL and Eng)


Australian coach John Buchanan feels there will be no long-term repercussions for Darren Lehmann's career after the batsman admitted a racial slur against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Lehmann faces an International Cricket Council disciplinary hearing, but Buchanan said the controversy would not affect the South Australian's standing in the national team.

'Darren has fought his way back into the side and obviously he's had a couple of setbacks ... it's not ideal but I can't see it jeopardising his future career,' Buchanan said.

Lehmann faces a maximum suspension of between four and eight one-day international matches for his outburst, which came after he was dismissed against the Sri Lankans in Brisbane.

He is understood to have yelled 'black c****' when entering the Australian dressing room at the Gabba -- remarks clearly heard in the Sri Lankan dressing room.

ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said he contemplated charging Lehmann with a grade four offence for the comment . But he later decided to stick with a category three offence, which could result in an eight one-day matches ban compared with the level four charge which carries a maximum life ban.

Australia will field one of their weakest sides in years against England in the final VB Series game between the two sides on Sunday.

Captain Ricky Ponting, in-form opener Matthew Hayden and pace spearhead Brett Lee will be given a well-earned rest.

England will have a chance of scoring a rare win against the old enemy, having lost the last 10 encounters between the two teams.

In January 1999, a 190-run stand between Graeme Hick and Nasser Hussain, and some good bowling by Darren Gough gave England a seven-run win in Sydney.



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