CA chief hails Lehmann for 'turning the ship round'

Cricket Australia (CA) chief James Sutherland has commended national coach Darren Lehmann for ''turning the ship around'' after the disastrous start to the summer Ashes series in England and praised his belief during the country's darkest cricketing hour.

Following Australia regaining the Ashes in Perth, Sutherland said that Lehmann's steadfast trust in his team and methods after a humiliating 347-run loss at Lord's in July's second Test had pleasantly caught him by surprise, adding that he was touched by Lehmann's knowledge or belief that success would come despite the suffering times. 

According to News.com.au, Sutherland also praised skipper Michael Clarke's resolve to return the team to its halcyon days, saying that Clarke has always been hungry for team success, which comes from the fact that his success as a player, having taken over the leadership from Ricky Ponting, has even got better.

Sutherland further said that it is a very phenomenal effort by Clarke to step up as a cricketer and as a leader at the same time given the numerous pressures on him

Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle has backed Australia to win all five Ashes Tests against England and ''keep building'' from those wins.

The Australian fast bowling cartel has had an impressive Ashes series, with Siddle cementing his dominance over England batsman Kevin Pietersen for the 10th time in Tests.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, although Siddle is enjoying a break after celebrating the return of the urn, he said that there is unfinished business, adding that Australia wants to get five Test wins and just keep building from them. 

Stating that the achievement is the start of something special, Siddle also said that he and his teammates are excited about what is yet to come in the series and beyond, adding that the big picture for Australia is to play competitive cricket against the top-ranked South African team in February.

Siddle also said that he had never played in a winning Ashes series from his three attempts for which he said it felt amazing to finally help his side achieve a victory, adding that it is outstanding the way they have managed to play the way they have been wanting to play.

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior is reportedly facing a fight to keep his spot for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with team director Andy Flower contemplating replacing Prior with wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, who has averaged 30.2 from 12 Tests.

Prior has been in poor form over the first three Ashes Tests, scoring just 107 runs at an average of 17.83 and fumbled a stumping chance that would have dismissed David Warner for 13 in the third Test at the WACA.

According to News.com.au, Flower said that it is a possibility that he may replace Prior with Bairstow at Melbourne as even though he has been an outstanding cricketer for England during a second phase of his English career, it is necessary to constantly review what England's best side will be with an eye to the future.

The report mentioned that spinner Graeme Swann is also under the pump after taking just seven wickets in three Tests, although with out-of-form spinner Monty Panesar the only like-for-like replacement, Swann might hold his spot by default.