Double Ashes winner Lehmann ranks Steelbacks' Blast win as one of his finest as a coach
Darren Lehmann believes leading Northants Steelbacks to the 2026 Vitality Blast title is one of the 'finer achievements' of his career.
Lehmann took over at the cinch County Ground before the 2025 campaign, and inherited a squad low on confidence.
In the small matter of 17 months he has turned Northants into major title winners, with the Steelbacks seeing off Somerset and Hampshire Hawks in Saturday's Finals Day at Edgbaston to secure the silverware.
That followed on from a brilliant Central & West Group campaign which saw Northants win nine matches out of 12, and a quarter-final victory over Gloucestershire.
It’s a first major honour for Northants in 10 years, since they last won the Blast in 2016, and Lehmann spoke afterwards of his pride at his and the club's achievement.
The 56-year-old has enjoyed a stellar coaching career, leading Australia to a 50-over World Cup triumph and two Ashes series wins.
He has also won the Indian Premier League with Deccan Chargers and the Big Bash League with Brisbane Heat, but he ranks the win in the Blast as being right up there.
"I have been fortunate enough to coach some really good cricket sides," said Lehmann.
"I haven't coached a side that's been under budget, plays with small squads, and we are pretty hamstrung with what we can do and spend. And that's okay, because the club wouldn't be here otherwise.
"My job is to help them get better on the field, and more importantly off the field, and to bring the club closer together with our past players, who are really important.
"As are the Shoe Army, the fans, and sponsors, and we want to get a real family feel about the club, so yes, this is one of my finer achievements, but you can't do it on your own.
"You set the direction, but you have to have great staff behind you that do all the work and make it work behind the scenes. For me it has been a joy to coach and guide them in the right way."
Northants followed up their Blast win with a five-wicket victory over Warwickshire in their opening Metro Bank One Day Cup Group A clash on Tuesday.
And Lehmann’s side will be aiming to build on that winning start with an away-day double header this weekend.
The Steelbacks now face a trip to Canterbury on Friday to play Kent (start 11am), and follow that up with a clash against Surrey at Guildford on Sunday (11am).
Like Northants, Surrey started their campaign with a win on Tuesday, beating hosts Lancashire by seven wickets, while the match against the Steelbacks will be Kent's first.