Lehmann inks commentary deal

Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann will return to international cricket this summer after it was today announced he'll join Macquarie Sports Radio as an expert commentator.

The 48-year will share his vast experiences as a player and coach, which stretches back to the late 1980s.

"I'm excited to be joining Macquarie Radio's Summer of Cricket and can't wait to get started," Lehmann said.

"It's a great team and we're going to have a lot of fun.

"It's an opportunity for me to share an insight into how the Australian team runs and the intricacies of each player.

"I love the game I played and coached and want to see it continue to grow.

"I love the players; always have and always will. Go Aussies!"

Lehmann, who played 27 Tests, 117 one-day internationals and is a two-time World Cup winner, was set to coach Australia to the conclusion of next year's Ashes in England before he stood down from his post in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa.

Since South Africa, Lehmann has been working with Australia's future stars at the Bupa National Cricket Centre in Brisbane under National Performance Program head coach Troy Cooley.

Lehmann's tenure with CA is set to conclude in October.

In June, CA signed six-year deals with Macquarie, ABC and Crocmedia for the radio rights to broadcast cricket in Australia.

Macquarie Sports Radio is set to cover men's and women's international cricket, as well as the KFC Big Bash League, which kicks off on December 19 at the Gabba where the Brisbane Heat host the Adelaide Strikers in a match that will undoubtedly provide conflicting interests for Lehmann.

In the second edition of the BBL, Lehmann coached the Heat to their maiden title, beating the Perth Scorchers away in an upset win, while his son Jake is a star batsman for Adelaide, the reigning BBL champions.

Lehmann has commentary experience, having called BBL games for Network 10 and was a pundit for Sky Sports in the famous 2005 Ashes series in England.