Australian cricket was in turmoil.

Just 16 days before the start of an Ashes series in England, a time for fine-tuning and certainly not for complete upheaval, Australia coach Mickey Arthur was sacked.

His departure followed a calamitous tour of India, where the hosts won 4-0, the ‘homework’ saga hit the headlines and the Aussies were pummelled in an ICC Champions Trophy whitewash.

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Lehmann shares a joke with Michael Clarke. Photo: AAP

So, in stepped Darren Lehmann, already in the UK after coaching Australia A, which came on the back of his success at the helm of Queensland.

He was the right man in the right place at the right time.

Lehmann’s relaxed, old-school approach immediately lifted spirits. Australian cricket needed a pick-me-up – and he provided it.

And although his side lost that Ashes series 3-1, the success has flowed since.

First came that stunning 5-0 whitewash of England. Then there was a Test series win against top-ranked South Africa.

And despite a blip in the Middle East against Pakistan, a strong home summer that finished in World Cup glory followed.

But Lehmann, 45, might be about to pull the plug on coaching, according to former Australia coach John Buchanan.

Buchanan, who hailed the impact Lehmann has had on Australian cricket, believes that victory in the upcoming Ashes series in England might be the trigger for his departure from the coaching ranks.

“‘Boof’ has been very successful since he has moved into coaching,” Buchanan told The New Daily.

“I think one of the things about Darren is that he’s always been a coach, if you like.

Lehmann in his playing days. Photo: AAP

“When I was the Australian coach, he was always a person who was thinking about the game. He’d always be talking about various scenarios and how you would set up a net session. He knows the game well.

“The other thing about him is that he is a people person. He loves the camaraderie and being in a happy group.

“Certainly, in his own way, he does everything he can to foster that and I think people really appreciate that.

“But it will be interesting to see what he decides to do after the Ashes.

“Like everyone, he’s got a family and you do spend a heck of a long time away from that.

“I think they are considerations that are very much at the forefront of his mind.

“If he wins an Ashes series, he’s won a World Cup, he’s won a few other things along the way … I’m sure he’ll spend a bit of time reflecting on how much further and longer he wants to go and what other things he’d like to achieve as Australian coach.”

Buchanan led Australia from 1999 to 2007 but feels these days, with busier schedules and the influx of Twenty20 cricket, that an international coach’s lifespan is very limited.

“Once you embark on this international coaching caper, even if you are successful, there’s probably a lifespan of three to five years, depending on the individual,” he said.

Could Langer be the man to replace Lehmann? Photo: Getty

Buchanan also thinks that both Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie, who he also coached when in charge of Australia, would make excellent replacements for Lehmann – if he does indeed decide to leave his post.

A decision on Lehmann’s future could also depend on the state of Australia’s side.

There’s no question that the Test team is approaching the end of an era, with question marks hanging over the future of captain Michael Clarke, opening batsman Chris Rogers, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and paceman Ryan Harris.

Maybe a series of post-Ashes retirements will make Lehmann’s mind up for him.

One thing we do know is that Australian cricket is richer for Lehmann’s stint in charge.

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John Buchanan now runs Buchanan Success Coaching and travels the world offering regular workshops and seminars to top companies, sporting teams and business networks about the lessons he has learned in sport and how they can be applied – both in the boardroom and on the field.

Visit John’s website here.