Lehmann `most powerful national coach` in two decades, reports Oz media

Sydney: The Australian media has compared current national coach Darren Lehmann to Bob Simpson, who took the position of coach after a period when Australia went 14 Tests without a win and called him the most powerful coach of the country in two decades.

According to News.com.au, Lehmann will have more say in what happens around him than any Australian coach since iron-willed Bob Simpson re-moulded Australia`s cricket culture between 1986-1996. Like Lehmann, Australia needed Simpson more than Simpson needed Australia and there was no one else in the country at the time suited to the job anywhere near as much as these two, the report said. With Australia having lost three Ashes series in a row Lehmann has a powerful mandate for change after accepting the job with a few hours` notice in England, the report added. It is not a bad thing Lehmann has substantial influence because of an obvious yet underrated fact, he knows what makes a cricketer, the report further said.