Sydney, Jan 11: Former Australia batsman Darren Lehmann has thrown his hat into the ring for the England coach's job.

Recognised as one of the world's sharpest cricket brains, 38-year-old Lehmann on Saturday said that he would consider any offer from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Lehmann, who played 27 Tests for Australia, began coaching Australia's academy side last year, and has already been signed by the Deccan Chargers for the Indian Premier League, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

He's considered an innovative thinker and near-certain future coach of the Australian team, but England might grab him first. It's the most lucrative coaching position in world cricket with an annual salary of 800,000 dollars.

"Yes, I'm interested," Lehmann told The SMH after Shane Warne went public with his belief that the ECB should target Lehmann ahead of the Ashes.

"It's something I would definitely consider. Shane Warne is a very good friend of mine and he knows what I want to do. You would never knock back an opportunity like that. I'm working with second-stringers at the moment and anyone would want to work with players at that international level. I'll talk to them if they want to talk to me," he added.

Lehmann is a revered figure in England. He plundered thousands of runs in county cricket for a decade while captain of Yorkshire.

His progress through the coaching ranks was already moving fast and the ECB is certain to add his name to its hit list now he has expressed his interest.

England are in disarray just six months before the Ashes after Kevin Pietersen quit as captain and Peter Moores was sacked as coach over a personality clash. (ANI)