South Australia's Darren Lehmann led Australia to Ashes 5-0 whitewash over England DARREN Lehmann has masterminded the sweetest Ashes victory of all but it's no surprise to the Australian messiah's true believers. Just days before Mickey Arthur was sacked as Australian coach last June, former Test paceman Jason Gillespie told The Advertiser Lehmann had to be appointed national boss to rescue a team in crisis on and off field. Most disturbingly it was "no longer fun to wear the baggy green" and there was only one fix. SACA state talent manager and long-time Lehmann teammate, Tim Nielsen, said Lehmann had made the "dressing room a happy place." More: Rogers, the unlikely hero "It is a really important part of the role to make sure the players are happy and then they will play with freedom," he said. Everything Lehmann had touched as coach turned to gold in title success for Indian Premier League side Deccan Chargers, Queensland and Brisbane Heat. The pattern would be repeated for Australia incorporating old school aggression, mateship and cutting edge planning. Man of the series Mitchell Johnson and all-rounder Shane Watson - so crucial to Australia's Ashes 5-0 triumph - were dumped from the third Mohali Test in India last March by Arthur for not completing their "homework." Coach Darren Lehmann and Australian captain Michael Clarke celebrating a 5-0 clean sweep of the Ashes. By contrast, Lehmann promptly uncluttered Johnson's mind - telling the 56-Test left-armer to just "bowl fast." Timeline: The key moments in Australia's Ashes win Johnson responded with 37 wickets at an astonishing average of 13.9 - entering Ashes folklore in the process. No homework needed. Johnson, 32, credits former Test batsman Lehmann with cracking his "enigma code" - supplying the confidence and consistency that devastated England. On September 11 in England, Mitchell Johnson delivered a short ball which struck Jonathan Trott on the grill of his helmet. Robert Craddock says that was the ball that helped Australia regain the Ashes. Watson describes the current Australian dressing room as "the most special" he's seen. Watson has come of age this series - playing with the freedom and power that had been missing his entire Test career. Crucially the all-rounder is back on good terms with skipper Michael Clarke who has benefited from Lehmann's thriving team culture. David Warner is the antithesis of the loose cannon who boxed England batsman Joe Root in a Birmingham nightclub - ultimately triggering Arthur's demise. Match report: Australia wrap up 5-0 Ashes whitewash The opener is now settled, focused and prolific with 523 Ashes runs at 58 after a pre-series heart to heart with Lehmann. Warner was told he could be Australia's gamebreaker by enjoying cricket on Lehmann's terms. Former South Australian and Yorkshire captain Lehmann is renowned for a canny cricket brain and unrivalled communication skills but behind the amiable demeanour is a ruthless streak. Australia unleashed a "tail bombing" bouncer campaign that shook England's bowlers to the core, leaving them black and blue. Lehmann was "wants to keep raising the bar" with success in away series against champion South African and Pakistan and snare the No. 1 Test ranking - so strap in for the ride. Off-spinner Graeme Swann was attacked on Lehmann's demand and retired after the Perth Test. Australia's bowling plan also rendered England's 2010-11 Ashes stars opener Alastair Cook, No. 3 batsman Jonathan Trott and keeper-batsman Matt Prior totally ineffective. Swann is gone, Prior axed, Trott may never return while either captain Cook or coach Andy Flower will struggle for tenure. More: This time it feels right to gloat