Cricket Australia extends coach Darren Lehmann's contract

Australian cricket captain Steven Smith (left) and coach Darren Lehmann chat during a practice session in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Australia will play a three match test series with Sri Lanka starting July 26 in Pallekele. (AP)

MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia has extended head coach Darren Lehmann's contract to cover the Ashes and the World Cup in 2019.

Lehmann, a former test batsman who took over a team in turmoil during the losing Ashes series in England in 2013, was initially contracted to mid-2017.

Cricket Australia's executive general manager Pat Howard on Monday said "2019 is such a big year for Australian cricket and we wanted certainty and stability for the playing group with both the coach and assistant coach."

During Lehmann's tenure, Australia regained the No. 1 test match ranking and won the 2015 World Cup on home soil.

The Australians are in Sri Lanka for a three-test series.