5 possible overseas replacements for Darren Lehmann as Australia coach

Ahead of the fourth and final Test of the series between Australia and South Africa, visiting coach Darren Lehmann announced his decision to step down from his position post the game, in an emotional press conference that followed two equally moving addresses by Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft.

Having taken over in 2013 from Mickey Arthur, Lehmann has overseen two Ashes series, a Test series win in South Africa along with joining a select group of players to have won the 50-over World Cup both as a player as well as a coach.

While an Australian does look like a front-runner to take over, there are other options that can be considered too by the board:

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#5 Paddy Upton

While this might seem like an unusual choice, but Paddy Upton's CV as a coach comprises of roles with the Indian and South African national squads as well as being at the helm in three T20 Leagues in the past.

Under his guidance, the Sydney Thunder, a team renowned for its longest losing streak in the Big Bash League, clinched the title in 2016.

He also coached the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League in the first and the second seasons and had a stint with both the Rajasthan Royals as well as the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League.

Upton has been credited for his ability to work with players on an individual level, most notably with Jacques Kallis, who Upton helped in overcoming personal disappointments and paved the way for a purple patch in his batting.

#4 Graham Ford

Ford has a lot of experience under his belt

The South African is one of the most experienced coaches in the business, having stayed at the helm with South Africa and Sri Lanka as well as coaching teams on the domestic circuit.

Ford may not have had any team success to speak about, but like Upton, his strength lies in handling players on a one-on-one basis and helping them identify the smaller aspects of their cricket.

A primary example to this is how he dealt with an out-of-form Kevin Pietersen ahead of the 2010 Ashes.

The right-hander was starved of runs during the English summer of 2010 and went back to South Africa to work with Ford, who told him one key aspect of his game that he had not been doing.

On correcting that flaw, Pietersen returned home and a few weeks later, cracked a double hundred at Adelaide.

Here's the video of Pietersen explaining how he got back to form:

#3 Daniel Vettori

Vettori has a decent track record, will Australia consider him for the head coach role?

The former New Zealand left-arm spinner is presently with the Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) as it's head coach, but is also involved with the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and the Rajshahi Kings in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Vettori's style of coaching got a thumbs-up from current Indian skipper Virat Kohli, who reportedly suggested his name to take over as the coach of India when they were on the lookout of one after the World T20 in 2016.

The 2016 IPL season saw RCB make a later comeback in the League phase of the edition, winning a sequence of matches en route to the final, where they lost to the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Australia could consider Vettori for the role when they decide to take the call.

#2 Stephen Fleming

CSK have put faith in Fleming's coaching methods by appointing as their coach this season as well

Another New Zealander, who has tasted success, especially in the Indian Premier League.

Fleming may have said in the past that he was not looking at coaching an international side at the present moment, but trying to get Australian cricket back on track could well be the ideal challenge which could make him alter his thoughts and take up the responsibility.

Fleming's coaching credentials include two IPL titles in 2010 and 2011 and also a stint with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League.

In the aftermath of the ball tampering incident, Lehmann had praised the manner in which New Zealand played the game and Fleming could help instil that attitude in the Australian side if he took up the job.

#1 Gary Kirsten

Will Kirsten accept the role if asked to take over?

The former South African opening batsman, who was picked by India in 2008 with no prior international coaching credentials, is often the first name that comes to mind when a vacancy arrives anywhere in the world.

The primary reason for that being the kind of work he did first with India and the with South Africa, leading both nations to the top of the Test rankings and also winning the World Cup with the former.

Kirsten is presently at the helm with the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League and is also the batting coach with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

MS Dhoni is reported in the opinion that appointing Kirsten as the coach of the Indian team was one of the greatest things to have happened to Indian cricket.