Lehmann backs 'failing' Oz to get back to top as 'honeymoon' ends with Lord's defeat

Australian coach Darren Lehmann has backed his under-performing side, currently playing in the Ashes, to get back to the pinnacle of cricket and blow teams away, even as his brief 'honeymoon period' came to an end after the team's disastrous defeat in the second Ashes Test at Lord's.

According to Telegraph.com.au, Lehmann brought improvement from the team in Queensland which they repeated at Trent Bridge, and is exhorting them to claim a place in the third Test squad by scoring big runs in the three-day games against county side Sussex.

Stating that he is not panicking as there will be enough good players during the third Test, Lehmann insisted that his side is fine even though they have been accused of not having performing players after the first two Test losses, adding that they can be the topmost match-winning team again once they get their skills right.

Although Lehmann is upbeat about what will be at his disposal having seen the depths and shallows of Australia's first class system with Queensland, he, however, admitted that even though his side is young, they have no excuses for their performance at Lord's, adding that they did not play well enough and batted poorly in the first innings.

According to Lehmann, his players are aware that they needed to bat a lot more time, as they do not seek a repeat of being bowled out in 55 overs, although the report added that the former cricketer has sought to relieve the pressure on his team, which is in danger of collapsing under the weight of poor performance and public expectation.

However, Lehmann accepted the fact that his reign will be judged finally on results instead of his ability to repair the morale of a fractured and failing team, saying that he wants to make sure that Australia is the best team that they can be, although he added that personal care and team unity will smoothen the process to get the team back on track.

Admitting that he could have done a better job of managing the team, Lehmann also said that he probably did not play the dressing room politics very well, adding that he was too honest sometimes and said things which he should not have spoken.

Meanwhile, Lehmann has called on Australian greats like his old friend Shane Warne to contribute to a 'renaissance' of the team given their experience and performances in the sport.