Lehmann: England selectors have learned from their mistakes - they might find a hidden gem like Saif
31.03.26, 15:56 Updated 31.03.26, 16:02
Jeremy Blackmore
Northamptonshire head coach Darren Lehmann says England’s selectors have finally reached out both to him and Saif Zaib, and he welcomes their decision to forge a closer relationship with county cricket.
Lehmann was particularly outspoken about Zaib’s non-selection for either of England Lions’ two winter tours, despite finishing 2025 as county cricket’s leading run scorer. The county’s new signing Calvin Harrison did get a spot on the Lions’ tour to the UAE, however.
Lehmann didn’t hold back when he spoke to BBC Test Match Special during the winter’s Ashes debacle: “Who are the selectors, by the way?” he said. “I’ve not seen them in my time in county cricket. Can someone tell us, please? I’ve never spoken to a selector and never seen a selector, and I’m a county coach. Unbelievable.”
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Jeremy Blackmore is the founder and editor of The Steeler. Jeremy is a freelance cricket writer and Wantage Road regular. He has written extensively for a host of publications including The Cricketer, The Cricket Paper, Wisden Cricket Monthly and ESPNcricinfo. He also covers Northamptonshire for the ECB Reporters Network.