Darren Lehmann makes coaching comeback after sandpaper-gate

The 49-year-old was Australia coach in March last year when batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught trying to scuff the ball with sandpaper during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town

Darren Lehmann is back in the cricketing role almost a year after quitting the Australian team over the infamous sandpaper scandal. He has been appointed as the coach of the Big Bash League's Brisbane Heat on Thursday.

Delighted on his return, Lehmann stated that it’s a chance to “come back to where it all started” after his bruising experience with the national team.

“I think you learn a lot about yourself during the dark times and for me, it's all about enjoying the game. I've fallen in love with the game again, so I'm really looking forward to getting back working with some young guys with a lot of talent,” Lehmann said.

🎙️ @darren_lehmann spoke to the media after his announcement as Head Coach!#BringTheHeat #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/Ov9k7Sza5w

— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) March 7, 2019

The 49-year-old was Australia coach in March last year when batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught trying to scuff the ball with sandpaper during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town. At the time captain Steve Smit and his deputy David Warner were directly implicated in the cheating plot and all three received lengthy bans.

Lehmann later quit, along with much of Australia's senior management, accused of overseeing a toxic culture that allowed a win-at-all-costs mentality to flourish.

“That hurt a lot of people didn't it, all of us involved. Obviously, it's time to move on though, isn't it? That's the thing,” he said when asked about the affair.

The 49-year-old was emphatic when asked if he had any desire to return to international coaching.

“No. I'm not travelling 300 days away a year again and I don't think my wife would let me,” he said.