This is Lehmann's first major coaching assignment since quitting as Australia coach © Getty

Darren Lehmann, the former Australia coach, will serve as coach of the Brisbane Heat team for the next two years, the club announced on Thursday (March 7). Lehmann takes over from Daniel Vettori, who decided against renewing his contract after fours years with the club.

This will be Lehmann's second stint with the Heat, having led them to the title in the 2012-13 season before he became the coach of the Australian team. This is also Lehmann's first major coaching assignment since quitting as Australia coach in the wake of the Newlands ball-tampering scandal.

Lehmann's will be tasked with the revival of the Heat's fortunes in the tournament, which has taken a dip ever since their title-winning season. Barring a semi-final appearance in 2016-17, the Heat have failed to make it to the knockout stage in five editions of the tournament.

"Darren has vast experience as a coach and as a manager of talented players. We believe he can hit the ground running, and work towards the Heat providing its fans with outstanding experience in BBL|09 and beyond. It's a bonus for us that he understands the rationale behind the Heat from his earlier days with us, but this appointment was not about past glories," said Heat general manager Andrew McShea.

Speaking about his new role, Lehmann said: "It was a wonderful experience at the time to be involved with building the Brisbane Heat at the start of the BBL, and we had plenty of fun along the way. I enjoyed watching the BBL, and the Heat, during the season and as a coach, I am pretty excited to be working with the Heat players, who I know are as talented and determined as anyone going around."