Mitchell Marsh might have thought his place in the Australia side would be safe after their recent thrashing of New Zealand in the first Test in Brisbane but he may have to think again now his coach, Darren Lehmann, has woken up to what he has done.
On the flight to Perth for the second Test, the all-rounder teamed up with the fast bowler Peter Siddle to interview Lehmann for the Cricket Australia website. The only problem was the coach remained resolutely asleep throughout the interview.
“We’re just sitting here next to the coach, he’s not a big talker, doesn’t do great interviews either,” Marsh says to camera. Then turning to Lehmann he asks: “How’d you think the game went yesterday mate?” No response from the coach.
“We’re just trying to talk about the game, trying to help our progress in the game of cricket,” says Siddle. “So we sit down next to the coach, try and get some feedback, and this is what he gives us.” Silence.
Marsh then changes tactics, asking Lehmann for coaching tips: “My cover drive, my front elbow is just not quite getting out there enough, what do you reckon?” But again no response is forthcoming. He then gives up: “Oh well, what can you do?”
Having failed to elicit a response from Lehmann, the pair move on to the fielding coach, Greg Blewett, who was also trying to catch up on his sleep, again failing to get a reaction.
Once Lehmann eventually surfaced, the man known as Boof began to consider his tactics. “Revenge is sweet!!!” he tweeted, without elaborating.
The Australian vice-captain, David Warner, also had a say, warning Marsh and Siddle – who has just signed a two-year contract with Nottinghamshire – about what may follow. “Baha playing with fire there boys,” he tweeted cryptically.
That revenge may come with the team sheet for Friday’s second Test. Siddle, in particular, will have cause to be concerned. He was left out for Josh Hazlewood in the first Test.
