Oz needs to follow England's approach of 'split coaching', says report

Australia should look at splitting the roles of their coach Darren Lehmann in the style of England if they want to keep him fresh and focused for the future, according to a report.

According to News.com.au, ahead of their five-match one-day series at Leeds, England's short-form sides will be coached by not national coach Andy Flower, but former Test spinner and national selector Ashley Giles.

The report said that although this is a ground-breaking system, it however, works well for England as both Flower and Giles stay fresh, swap ideas and have no fear of any insecurity of tenure as they respect and trust each other.

In contrast, the report said that Lehmann is sent out as a lone wolf and will have to exert himself until he has used up all his strength after eight or nine months a year on the road, adding that there is a fear that Lehmann may take years to recover from the strain of his workload like many others before him when his term is done.

Although Lehmann is aware of the emotional challenges of the job, the report said that he would benefit if his job is split as it will allow him to gain fresh perspective by getting out of the team bubble and viewing the side like a spectator.

The report also said that splitting Lehmann's roles would also gives Australia some sort of succession plan and provides a pathway for emerging coaches.

Although the options for a back-up coach are not substantial, the report said the pool is far from empty with personalities like Tom Moody, Matt Mott, Stuart Law, Jason Gillespie, Justin Langer and Trevor Bayliss, adding that any of them would be up to the job of being the No.2 coach to Lehmann.