Darren Lehmann, Adelaide Oval
In 2012 Darren Lehmann was Ken’s second sculpture installed at Adelaide Oval. His extensive preparation and study included chats with Darren in order to understand and portray accurately his batting style. The renowned power generated by this hard hitting batsman was matched by the grace of immaculate timing. Commentators frequently remarked that watching him play, the ball seemed to fly off the face of his bat.
Renowned in his playing days for not being keen on fitness or modern dietary regimes, he generally carried weight, which is interesting for an elite sportsman. At 175 cm tall, ample in proportions, he was incredibly nimble in his stroke play. Ken has captured that moment when Darren Lehmann has played one of his signature strokes, positioning the angel of the bat and angle of head to face –wide mid-on.
Ken: I did get a slightly funny look when the sculptor asked the test cricketer “How do you see and react in time when a fast ball is coming at you at 150 km per hour?” The response was, “You hit it”. There is not much you can say to that.
One of the challenges embraced by Ken is to record the equipment authentically, including the much coveted Australian Test Cricketers baggy green cap. It is this attention to detail that adds to the story.
The length of a cricket pitch apart, the sculpture of Darren Lehmann batsman faces the sculpture of fast bowler Jason Gillespie!
Life Size: 190cm H - to top of bat
2012 Bronze
Adelaide Oval
