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Boof Jnr goes from rookie to Redback

Jake Lehmann ready to start his own journey

As an opponent and teammate of Darren Lehmann over the best part of 15 summers, Darren Berry is better placed than many to provide an incisive comparison between the current Australian coach and Lehmann’s son Jake who begins his own senior cricket journey this weekend.

“So far, I haven’t seen him smoke or drink and he’s got a slightly different body shape to his old man,” the South Australian coach observed of 22-year-old Jake Lehmann who is expected to make his debut for the Redbacks during the upcoming Matador One-Day Cup.

Berry’s good natured reference to his close friend’s oft-documented fondness for a cold beer and a sneaky ciggie was delivered with an equally well respected subtext.

That Darren Lehmann is, and quite likely won’t be surpassed as, the most prolific runs scorer in the 122-year history of the Sheffield Shield and his reputation has only been enhanced since taking over as coach of the Australian men’s team last year.

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So as Jake Lehmann, who received his first rookie contract with the West End Redbacks last April and whose impressive pre-season form has seen him elevated to SA’s 14-man Matador Cup squad, prepared to face his first all-in media conference today he pretty much knew what was coming.

“Obviously there’s been expectation growing up but I’ve just tried to take it in my stride and be my own person and play cricket the way I want to play cricket,” the laconic left-hander replied when asked about the pressure that comes with carrying his famous surname.

“If that’s similar to my old man then I’m happy with that as well.”

Quizzed as to whether his father, renowned as an intuitive and innovative batsman whose first-class career netted him almost 26,000 runs at an average above 57, had influenced his style of play during his formative years Jake showed he had already mastered the dead bat.

“We just had backyard fun,” he recalled of the days when his dad was plying for trade for South Australia and – for a brief stint – Victoria.

“He was away a lot so it was just natural – I just went out there and enjoyed it and he never overpowered me at all.

“There was always that name around, but I love cricket and I’ve always been around cricket since I was a young kid.

“He (Darren) is obviously in Dubai (with the Australian limited-overs team) so I haven’t spoken to him in person, but he’s sent me some nice messages saying he’s proud and if I get an opportunity to play some cricket for the State to take it and enjoy it.

“And hopefully do well as well.”

Anyone who suggests Jake Lehmann has earned his opportunity at senior level through anything other than his own talent and application is simply telling you they’ve not charted his progress as a teenager in Adelaide’s grade competition to his debut in last summer’s Toyota Futures League.

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That helped earn him his rookie contract, and it was his performances during the Redbacks’ pre-season fixtures and the early rounds of the recently introduced SA Premier League that convinced Berry and his fellow selectors he was ready for the next step. 

“He’s been outstanding,” Berry said when asked for an assessment of whether Lehmann will figure in the Redbacks Matador Cup campaign which begins against the New South Wales Blues in Brisbane on Saturday.

“He got a rookie contract this season and his body shape has changed completely and as a result – not just because of that – throughout pre-season he’s got 50s and 60s and then most pleasing (last weekend) in the Premier League he scored his first hundred.

“So he’s right in the mix.

“He bats on the same side (left-handed like his father), he’s got really good hands, and he’s got an eye like his dad as well.

“He plays the ball late, and I think he’s a really exciting talent - he’s one that’s crept up on us to be honest.

“Obviously Darren was a sensational player but Jake’s now got it all before him to make his own mark and that’s what I’ve said to him – ‘don’t worry about the expectation of what your dad did, just be Jake Lehmann’.

“And he loves that – he’s a bit different.”

While Jake Lehmann will happily tell you he’s his own man finding his own way by playing the game on his own terms, the fact remains he will never shake comparisons with his famous father who himself will forever be one of South Australia’s most cherished sporting sons.

But in much the same way that Darren patiently batted back questions about when he would break through for his long-awaited Test cap (“I just have to keep making runs and that will take care of itself” was his stock response until the moment came at age 28) Jake’s defence is similarly stoic.

Asked as an uncapped rookie to place on the public record his cricket ambition, the self-confessed “free scorer” neatly pierced the gap between lofty aspiration and self-deprecation.

“Obviously everyone’s dream is to get a Baggy Green,” he said.

“But I haven’t even played for my State yet, so my goal right now is to try and do that.”