Cricket Australia extends Darren Lehmann's coaching contract till 2019

New Delhi: Cricket Australia on Monday extended Darren Lehmann's contract as the coach of the team till 2019.

The former left-handed batsman, who replaced Mickey Arthur in the wake of a forgettable 2013 tour to India where they suffered a 4-0 defeat, said that his goal now was to improve team's performance in the sub-continent.

"The (Cricket Australia) Board have actually seen that we are doing okay, as such, barring Saturday’s result in the Test (at Pallekele Stadium near Kandy).

"I’m looking forward to the next few years in charge and hopefully getting some wins in the sub-continent, first and foremost on the agenda, but also developing the side as we are.

"We have a different coaching group now coming in and the players are refreshed and I am looking forward to the challenge."

Steve Smith and his men were beaten by 106 runs in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Pallekele. It was Australia's seventh consecutive loss in the sub-continent.