Son of Boof earns Australia A call

He has already earned the national coach's ire but Jake Lehmann is convinced he is one step closer to playing for his country after an Australia A nod.

He has already earned the national coach's ire but Jake Lehmann is convinced he is one step closer to playing for his country after receiving an Australia A nod - eventually.

The 23-year-old South Australian is best known as the son of national coach Darren Lehmann.

The left-handed batsman is now determined to make a name for himself after earning selection in a 24-man Australia A squad for an upcoming winter series in Queensland.

Not that he knew at first.

Lehmann was travelling overseas with fellow Redbacks batsman Alex Ross when selectors rang to tell them they had both made the Australia A squad.

But a dodgy phone reception ensured they kept missing the call.

An oblivious Lehmann then received a colourful message from his famous dad suggesting in no uncertain terms that he get in touch with the national selectors.

"He told me using a couple of different words that I should probably pick up my phone," Lehmann said.

"But as a father he was more happy than anything else.

"Our phones weren't working properly and it was a funny 24 hours finding out we were picked for Australia A - it was quite unique."

That could also sum up Lehmann's childhood.

As a kid Lehmann dreamed of earning a Baggy Green as he grew up surrounded by them.

He revelled in the rare chances to travel with his dad and mingle with the Australian team back in the early 2000s.

"As a young kid he was away a lot, but I still got to travel and saw things and met people few do - it was a great experience," he said.

Having the Lehmann name did have its downside.

"Sometimes I had to do a bit more than others to get picked but I am probably grateful for that now," he said.

"Australia A is only a step away from playing for Australia so it's a pretty proud moment for myself and my family who have been involved in cricket for so long."

Lehmann had a breakthrough summer for South Australia, notching 623 Sheffield Shield runs at 44.50 including a top score of 205.

He helped South Australia make the domestic one-day and Shield finals.

Australia A will contest one-day and four-day games in the winter series in Townsville, Mackay and Brisbane from July 30.

The series will also feature South Africa A, Cricket Australia's national performance squad and another yet to be confirmed international side.


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Source: AAP



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