Son of Australia coach Darren, Jake Lehmann could make his first-class debut against Victoria in Glenelg
Redbacks add Lehmann to Shield squad
The future-first policy of the West End Redbacks continues with Jake Lehmann, the son of Australia coach Darren, added to the 12-man squad for this week's Bupa Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria.
South Australia have had a change of tack after a disappointing Shield season, currently sitting last and facing the prospect of a sixth wooden spoon in the past nine seasons, with Travis Head named captain.
Lehmann was added to the Redbacks list this season on a rookie contract and comes into the squad of 12 for the Glenelg match against the Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers after impressive performances in grade cricket.
Quick Single: East Torrens triumph over twin tragedies
Lehmann most recently anchored East Torrens run to an emotional West End One Day Cup victory with an unbeaten 78.
The match also marks the return of head coach Darren Berry after a five week absence for personal reasons.
The appointment of Head and to replace South Africa spinner Johan Botha and subsequent Big Bash League moves were made without Berry's input while he was on leave, with the coach returning to the revamped set-up focussed on looking forward.
"I'm devastated to lose Johan because he's a four dimensional cricketer," Berry said Tuesday. "I'm really upset about that.
"While I was on leave a lot of decisions were made and I've got to look forward through the front window not the back one.
"You can only control what you can control."
He made his debut for the Redbacks squad in last October's Matador One-Day Cup, scoring 54 runs in three innings.
Quick Single: Lehmann Jr goes from rookie to Redback
"I'm just pretty excited to be in the squad," Lehmann told cricket.com.au last year when added to the Redbacks squad.
"But making runs is the only way you're going to get into that side. So my goal is to keep going back to grade cricket and Futures League and (SA) Premier League and just trying to make runs."
Make runs he has. Whether it has been enough to earn him the coveted first XI cap, remains to be seen.
Apart from 21-year-old skipper Travis Head, the Redbacks line-up boasts 20-year-old opener Kelvin Smith and 22-year-old Alex Ross.
Lehmann replaces bowling allrounder Nick Benton in the 12-man squad.
Boof's Blog: Jake's dad writes for cricket.com.au