Lehmann says 'grown men' Clarke, Ponting needs no 'mediation'

Australian head coach Darren Lehmann has declined to officially 'mediate' in the dispute between current and former captains Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke by saying that grown men can sort out their differences.

Former Test skipper Ponting this week said he would extend an olive branch having not spoken to Clarke over references to his successor in his autobiography

According to News.com.au, Lehmann offered to give up his Test spot to Clarke on Australia's triumphant 2004 Test tour of India and was also a mentor for Ponting when he assumed the one-day captaincy in 2002, adding that he knows and respects both men.

Lehmann said that Clarke is really driven in what he wants to do, adding that being grown men, both he and Ponting will sort out their differences between them before the Ashes series.

Lehmann further said that Clarke is going well, batting, adding that playing again is important for a 'pretty big series'.