Darren Lehmann has been handed a one-year contract extension following a successful start to his time as coach of Australia.
Lehmann, who oversaw Australia’s 5-0 Ashes whitewash in the winter, will remain in charge until 2017.
“We have been extremely pleased with the results Darren has achieved with the team since he came on board,” Cricket Australia’s executive general manager of team performance Pat Howard said.
“He has helped create an excellent team environment that has seen players thrive. We want that to continue so we used the winter period to work through an extension to his current contract.
“Importantly it provides continuity for the team and certainty for Darren heading into a critical period for Australian cricket.”
Lehmann was rushed into the role just 16 days before last summer’s Ashes, in place of Mickey Arthur, as Australia went on a nine-Test winless streak that includedlosing his first series to England 3-0.
Australia’s performances have improved dramatically since, highlighted by their Ashes recovery, followed by a 2-1 series success in South Africa, which helped to send them back to the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings for the first time in five years.
Australia last week went to the top of the one-day international rankings followinga 3-0 series win over Pakistan and Lehmann and his side are now preparing for a two-Test series in the United Arab Emirates.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have had in the job and am proud of what we have achieved so far,” said Lehmann, who played 27 Tests for Australia and won the World Cup twice.
“I want to continue with the work we have done on and off the field with the team, as I feel we are heading in the right direction.
“It was good to be able to sit down with Pat Howard and James Sutherland and go through where we see the team going in the next while. I’m grateful that the board has shown faith in me to continue in the job.
“At the end of the day I will be judged by results, if the team is not performing then I am answerable.
“In the meantime, I am looking forward to this current Test series against Pakistan then getting stuck in as we lead into the biggest summer of cricket Australia has seen in a long time.”
Australia will host India in a Test series this winter before England join them in an ODI tri-series to preview the World Cup.