Jake Lehmann, a South Australian cricketer, has been named Men's Domestic Player of the Year by Cricket Australia. This recognition comes less than a month after his decision to sign with an English club, Hampshire, using his British passport.
Lehmann, 33, has been a prominent figure in domestic cricket, accumulating 1176 Sheffield Shield runs at an average of 43.55 since the beginning of the last summer. His performance includes six centuries, which contributed significantly to South Australia securing its first red-ball title in 29 years. He concluded the summer as the competition's third-highest run-scorer.
His father, Australian cricket legend Darren Lehmann, received the same award on three occasions. During the voting period, Jake Lehmann achieved hundreds in four consecutive Sheffield Shield matches, including the triumphant final against Queensland.
Lehmann expressed his surprise and gratitude for the award, stating, "I felt like I’ve been playing some really good cricket in the last 18 months, so to get recognised by people that you’re playing against and your peers is always something special and I’m grateful for the acknowledgment." He also noted the honor of having his name alongside previous recipients.
His move to Hampshire signifies a commitment to play as a local player in England, effectively ending his aspirations to represent Australia internationally. Under ICC regulations, he is now ineligible for the Australian national team and would need to register as an overseas player for future Sheffield Shield appearances. Lehmann cited the timing as right, acknowledging the challenge of reaching the Australian national team while expressing gratitude for his twelve-year first-class career.
In related news, Western Australian captain Sam Whiteman has also signed a three-year deal with Yorkshire in the County Championship, making a similar decision to abandon his ambition to play for Australia internationally. Whiteman, 33, born in the UK, was crucial to Western Australia's recent Sheffield Shield three-peat and was named player of the final three times.
Separately, Western Australian emerging player Cooper Connolly has been awarded the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year prize, following his national debut in all three formats over the past 18 months.