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Lehmann 'worries daily' about banned trio

Former Australia coach hopes to see Bancroft, Warner and Smith return to international cricket once bans have been served

Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann says he "worries daily" about banned trio Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft and confirmed he is in regular contact with the suspended players.

Lehmann, who was replaced by Justin Langer as head coach of the Australian men’s team on Thursday, added he hopes all three players will return to international cricket once their punishments are served.

"They are all good young men, I feel for the three players especially, they’re fantastic and I worry about them day-in, day-out," Lehmann told Radio FIVEaa on Friday.

"I hope they come back and play for Australia because they’re fantastic young men and they’ve paid the price.

"For me Australian cricket is the most important thing and hopefully everyone can get back and play the right type of cricket that makes everyone respect and enjoy the Australian cricket team again.

"It’s been a tough six weeks for myself, but I put myself in David Warner’s shoes, Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith… they’ve been to hell and back, haven’t they?

"Hopefully, everyone forgives them. I’m sure they will. They’re bloody good human beings and I love them dearly.

"I speak to them quite a lot. It’s a case of keeping in contact because I worry about them.

"They’re going okay."

Respect to me is worth more than gold: Langer

Speaking exclusively to cricket.com.au on Thursday, Lehmann said he believed the playing group Langer is inheriting – including the banned trio – possess the qualities to recapture the faith of fans disillusioned by the events in Cape Town.

"He (Langer) has got a really good group of players and they’ll play in an exciting way, and I’m really looking forward to watching them do that," Lehmann said.

"They’re a great bunch of blokes, all of them. I loved them and, and JL will love working with them.

"They all bring different attributes, but they are all such good professional athletes and as he’ll already know they’re so much fitter and stronger than any players from our era.

"They’ve got a great work ethic, they train bloody hard to get better and he’ll just need to keep teaching them the game of cricket, that’s the one area that all of us always need to improve on.

"We just have to get behind them as a nation, support the new coach and captains, but also support those guys that aren’t playing as well.

"I was really pleased that Justin made mention of those three guys (Smith, Warner and Bancroft) who aren’t playing at the moment because they are, and they’ll continue to be, valuable players for the future of Australian cricket.

"He didn’t close the door on anyone, and I think that’s an important message."

Lehmann also believes the team is in safe hands under the guidance of Langer.

"Having watched JL’s press conference, I’m just so pleased that Australian cricket is going to be in such good hands," Lehmann told.

"He’s got the best job in the world, and I know it’s a job that I’ll miss because I loved every minute of it.

"But this is a time that Australian cricket needs to move forward and they couldn’t have a better person to lead them now."