South Australia batter Jake Lehmann will play for Hampshire as a local player next year after giving up his dream of representing Australia to play county cricket.
Jake Lehmann to play county cricket
Lehmann, son of World Cup winner and former Australia men's head coach Darren Lehmann, signed a two-year deal with Hampshire earlier this month. As a UK passport holder, Lehmann qualifies as a local player rather than an overseas, and will be available for Hampshire for the entire season. Lehmann was the third-highest run-scorer in last year's Sheffield Shield, helping South Australia to win their first trophy for 29 years.
However, moving to Hampshire as a local player means Lehmann will have to register as an overseas player in the Shield from next season, and he will also be ineligible for Australia national selection. At 33, that brings an end to his hopes of representing Australia.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Lehmann said: "That [playing for Australia] was always the dream and the goal, but only a small number of people get to do it. Unfortunately, I haven't got to do it, but I'm also grateful to have played first class cricket for the last 12 years and give back to Australian cricket in some way."
After struggling to get into South Australia's first XI less than two years ago, Lehmann has been in prolific form since breaking back in. He scored a century in his most recent first class innings, hitting 100 off 97 balls against Tasmania. He is currently the third-leading run scorer in the competition, with an average of 42.60 and a strike rate of 71.23.
Lehmann will join Hampshire alongside Australia Ashes-winner Michael Nesser, who will be available for the first six rounds of the Championship in April and May. Hampshire only just avoided relegation last season, and lost both the finals of the T20 Blast and One Day Cup. They will have a new head coach next season, with Russell Domingo having taken over from Adi Birrell.
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