The outstanding feature of Darren Lehmann's innings was … the lack of outstanding features. Aesthetically, it was a joy to behold, with devastation and improvisation equally welcome in a 119-ball romp, but there were no distinct patterns to his run-scoring. He was as untrendy as Ryan Campbell's goatee. Lehmann was in control of 88% of his shots, and with a ratio like that, he could do pretty much as he pleased. If the bowlers pitched outside off, as they did for 56% of his innings, he dispatched them for a run a ball. When they aimed at the stumps, he scored 51 runs from 47 balls.

His runs came all around the wicket – 62 behind square, 57 in front; 60 on the leg side, 59 on the off – as did his boundaries, which included a six and a four thumped over midwicket, and a trio of fours threaded over the slips.

Lehmann only opened the batting because Adam Gilchrist was resting a knee injury. But he has now amassed 287 runs in four attempts at the top of the order, at an average of 143.50. A handy dilemma for the selectors.

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