Darren Lehmann is about to face something infinitely tougher than anything a game of cricket can deliver - giving evidence at the court case of the security guard charged with the manslaughter of his great mate David Hookes.

Lehmann will arrive back in Australia on Friday for intensive treatment on his torn hamstring ahead of what he expects to be his return to the Test team against New Zealand, the launch of his biography 'Worth The Wait' and the beginning of court proceedings on November 15 that will force him to relive some very bad memories.

Lehmann was by Hookes's side the night he died outside the Beaconsfield Hotel in the Melbourne suburb of St Kilda in January.

He will be the first witness to give evidence at the trial of 21-year-old Zdravko Micevic, who has previously indicated he will plead not guilty to fatally attacking Hookes.

"I'm first up so I can get to Brisbane," said Lehmann, referring to the Test against the Kiwis starting at the 'Gabba on November 18.

"I think about it (giving evidence), but it doesn't play on my mind. It's more of a case that it's going to be a pretty bad day, but I've had plenty of those in the last while. I'm shitting myself, but you've got to do it and it's there for a reason. The system will make whatever decision it makes."

These are hard times for Lehmann.

He has an ill family member at home, four young children that make the touring life less appealing, a serious injury and question marks hanging over his place in the side. Not that you could tell from his demeanour. His resilience is admirable.

Friends say he has developed a more fatalistic approach to life since Hookes's passing. On every topic on this tour, a common answer has definitely been: "Whatever happens, happens."

Lehmann's torn right hamstring ruled him out of the fourth Test and despite the success of middle-order players Michael Clarke and Simon Katich, the 34-year said on Melbourne Cup Day he would bet on being picked for the series-opener against NZ.

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