Australian coach Darren Lehmann’s contract was on Monday extended by Cricket Australia till October 2019, until after the Ashes and World Cup that year. The 46-year-old was instrumental in Australia’s success after replacing South African Mickey Arthur three years ago. Lehmann was the mastermind behind a World Cup triumph on home soil last year and guiding Australia to the top of the Test and One-Day International rankings.

Since his appointment, Australia have won Test victories over England, India, New Zealand and West Indies at home, and South Africa and New Zealand away. However, his recent outings against Pakistan and the surrender of the Ashes in England last year were disastrous. Even their loss against Sri Lanka last week in Pallekele was a clear indication that Lehmann still has a lot of work to do.

"The board have actually seen that we are doing okay as such, barring the result in the Test [at Pallekele], but looking forward to the next few years in charge and hopefully getting some wins in the sub-continent, first and foremost on the agenda, but developing the side as we are," Lehmann told ESPNcricinfo. "We have a different coaching group now coming in and the players are refreshed and I am looking forward to the challenge."