Cricket: Australia coach mocked over football ticket tweet

Australian cricket team coach Darren Lehmann gestures during a practice session at The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on March 22, 2014. AFP

Australia coach Darren Lehmann got more than he bargained for when he posted a tweet asking for help in getting tickets to watch an English Premier League football match.

England’s innings and 78-run win over Australia in the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, which gave them an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, was completed before lunch on Saturday’s third day of a scheduled five.

Lehmann decided he wanted to use the free Sunday to take in a match between Stoke City and Liverpool on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

“Would like to go to Stoke v Liverpool with a couple of people anyone help? @stokecity or @LFC can you please retweet,” he wrote on Twitter.

But, almost inevitably, Lehmann’s request was met by suggestions his time would be better spent reviewing Australia’s latest loss, rather than watching football.

Twitter user Anthony Dutton responded by posting: “Aren’t you playing tomorrow (Sunday)…oooops sorry.”

Meanwhile, Dave Kinsella said: “You should be reviewing how you lost the #Ashes2015 to one of the worst English side in history.”

And with England all-rounder Ben Stokes having taken six wickets in Australia’s second innings in Nottingham, it was no surprise when Matt Laing tweeted: “Maybe better off analyzing Ben Stokes not Stoke City.”

An unamused Lehmann responded to the jibes by tweeting: “Thanks so much for the abuse, was asking a question that people might help. Don’t bother now! Thanks again people for being so abusive.”

But Stoke themselves suggested on Sunday they might be able to assist Lehmann, with a post on their Twitter feed saying: “Hi Darren, can you follow us please. We may have some good news for you.”

And hours later, Lehmann tweeted a picture of the view from outside the Britannia Stadium, having managed to source tickets for the game.

“What a day thanks stoke city,” he wrote. “Go well. Go the Potters.”

Liverpool won the game 1-0 courtesy of a spectacular late goal from Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho.