‘Boof’ Lehmann bows out

One of the greatest of Australian domestic batsmen, Darren Lehmann has announced his retirement from first-class cricket. He will play twice more for South Australia, against Western Australia on Wednesday in a Ford Ranger Cup game, then the Pura Cup fixture starting on Friday.

Lehamnn cited injuries and “other frustrations” as his motive for retirement, bringing to a close and incredible 20-year career. The 37-year-old resigned as captain of South Australia after last season’s disappointing run, and has struggled with problems with his Achilles tendon and hamstring since then.

“The past 12 months have not been easy,” Lehmann revealed in an emotional announcement. “Ongoing concerns and conjecture about whether I could remain injury free and finish the season as well as other frustrations have contributed to my decision to retire.”

There is speculation that Lehmann’s diminished relationship with Rod Marsh, South Australia’s high performance director, has contributed to the decision. However, Lehmann declined to comment significantly on that assertion.

Darren ‘Boof’ Lehmann debuted for South Australia at the age of 17, and has since amassed a record 13,458 runs in Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup cricket, at an average of 54.52. Playing also for Yorkshire, he scored 25,628 runs at an average of 57.79.

As for international honours, Lehmann received 27 Test caps and scored 1788 runs at 44.95 per innings. He also played 117 one-day internationals and averaged 38.96 in that format. In recognition of his supreme performance throughout the years, Lehmann received Australian honours of State Player of the Year in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2001 he also received the Wisden Player of the Year award.

Overall Lehmann has scored 25,628 first-class runs, including 81 hundreds, and 12,996 list-A runs, with 18 tons. He stroked the winning runs for Australia at the 1999 World Cup final and again represented his country in the title defense of 2003.