Lehmann is Leaving But Will Never Be Forgotten

Lehmann Leaves
By JMB
September 20 2006

Darren Lehmann leaves Yorkshire after six seasons acknowledged as the finest overseas player to have represented the club. Despite shunning sit-ups for cigarettes when he walked acrosss that boundary rope he has always been the consumate professional.

The 36-year-old has taken young players under his wing and enjoyed his time in Yorkshire, becoming incredibly popular with the cricket loving public. He has more than rewarded the Yorkshire faithful who have lovingly call him Boof, because that's what he does to the ball, boofs it all over the place.

The warmth felt by the Yorkshire public is reciprocated. "I love the countryside, the people and the pubs," he said. "The people are so much like Aussies. They welcome you with open arms. Yorkshire has been like a second home to me. This game will be emotional for me but the most important thing is to make sure we stay up. I would hate to go back home with Yorkshire relegated. But we're not thinking about that. We are thinking about playing the good cricket we have played for the last month or so. I can't really think about it being my last game. We've got a job to do."

And do his job he did. With one day of the four against Durham completed the legend that is Lehmann sits like a colosus on the Headingley scoreboard with 261 not out against his name. If he doesn't write his own scripts there is a scriptwriter somewhere who recognised the magnitude of this game for both Lehmann and Yorkshire.

If ever a sportsman did not deserve to be relegated, it is Lehmann. He has scored 1,628 first class runs this season at 77.52, with six hundreds. His retirement from the English game has not been brought on by diminished skill. He said: "There's less stress when you're coming to the end. I don't have to worry about things – not that I ever did worry. I still bat the same way, play on instinct. But you know how to play each different situation."

Lehmann would love to return with bat in hand to Yorkshire but he feels he has to reduce the number of matches he plays each year, although he repeated his offer to return on a temporary basis as an emergency overseas player if required. My body just can't do all the things I would like. As an overseas player, you need to do a lot more. But I have to miss the odd one-day, to make sure I'm right for the four-day stuff."

If only Lehmann was English he would surely have played over a hundred tests. He was rather unfairly labelled a one day specialist by the Australian media and made only twenty seven test appearances compared to 117 one day internationals. The fact he wore the baggy green cap of his home country is something Lehmann is immensely proud of and 1798 runs at an average of 44.85 is no mean achievement. You cannot help but wonder whether the test match arena has missed out Lehmann's genius.

Yorkshire have been hugely rewarded for taking a punt on the robust Aussie back in 1996. There has not been a better overseas pro on the county circuit. His powerful hitting and his ability to remain at the crease over long periods was rewarded earlier this year with his inclusion in the Yorkshire Post's all-time Yorkshire XI. He said: "That was one of the biggest things. This is the greatest club in the world and to be in their greatest XI is something I take very seriously. It's a fantastic achievement. I'd like to thank everyone who voted for me, and I hope I've entertained a few along the way."

The high entertainment factor Lehmann provides has never been in doubt. When Yorkshire resume on the second day against Durham Lehmann requires another 45 runs to better his highest ever first class score. What a way to go.