By JMB
March 23 2007

Yorkshire great Darren Lehmann has stepped down as captain of the South Australian state side. His decision follows the departure of coach Wayne Phillips a few days earlier. 37-year-old Lehmann has been in charge of the state side since 1998. Lehmann said: “I advised the SACA chief executive Mike Deare late yesterday that I wish to relinquish my role as captain of the West End Redbacks. It was an extremely difficult decision but one which I have made after many months of thought. I have always said that when the time is right, I would make way for a young successor who I can mentor and work with, and I look forward to doing just that next season. The increased media speculation over recent weeks has led me to announce this decision today, and I take the opportunity to thank my team-mates, the coaches I have worked under, and all at the SACA for their invaluable support to me over the years. I very much look forward to next season, when I will be wholeheartedly supporting the new South Australian captain, leading by example to my team-mates and putting more good performances on the board for the State.”

SACA chief executive Mike Deare said that Lehmann is one of the finest servants of cricket any State has produced. He continued: “Darren advised me yesterday afternoon that after months of consideration, he wished to stand down from the role as captain. It is a decision that I know was a difficult one for him, and one that he has made on his own with the very best interests of South Australian cricket at the forefront of his mind. Darren is an outstanding cricketer, a talent that any State would be honoured to call their own, as we have for two decades. I’m sure the public of South Australia would join me and all at the SACA in thanking Darren, most sincerely, for the entertainment, leadership and sheer talent he has brought to us over the years. He is known around the world as one of the best tacticians in the game, and I’m sure he will support and share his knowledge with his successor when one is appointed. We look forward to seeing more of his cricket abilities next season with the Redbacks.”