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Darren Lehmann set to rejoin Australia in New Zealand

by Andrew Wood Thursday 4 February 2016

Steven Smith (left) refused to blame the absence of Darren Lehmann (right) in the dressing room as a factor for the heavy defeat against New Zealand in Auckland.

©REUTERS / Action Images

Australian coach Darren Lehmann is expected to join his team in New Zealand during the ongoing One-Day International series nearly two weeks after being diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis.

Lehmann was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis during the fifth ODI against India in Sydney and stayed back in Australia as he needed further evaluations.

At that time Cricket Australia's chief medical officer John Orchard revealed that Lehmann was advised against flying in the short term.

However, the 45-year-old is expected to be cleared to fly and is likely to join the Australian side prior to the start of the third ODI in Hamilton as per a report in ESPNcricinfo.

Australia suffered a 15-run defeat in the first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland after being bowled out for 148 while chasing a target of 308 runs.

Australian captain Steven Smith refused to blame the absence of Lehmann in the dressing room as a factor for the heavy defeat against New Zealand.

Instead Smith acknowledged that Australia were outplayed by New Zealand as they did not adapt well to the conditions in the first game.

“We’d love to have our coach here.

“There’s no doubt about that.

“He’s unwell at the moment obviously and he’ll be back soon enough.

“So we’ve got to move on, I don’t think today was him to blame.

“It was certainly the players.

“We didn’t adapt well enough and we were outplayed.”

Having lost the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy during the 2015 World Cup encounter in Auckland, Australia must win the remaining two ODIs of the ongoing series if they are to regain the title.