Suspended batsman Darren Lehmann will undergo counselling as his replacement in the Australian one-day team pinches himself to ensure his dream debut was a reality.

Lehmann will travel from Adelaide to Melbourne to have a counselling session organised by the Australian Cricket Board in the wake of his racial slur against Sri Lanka.

The South Australian and Yorkshire captain yesterday sat out the first of five one-day internationals from which he was banned by the International Cricket Council for his racial outburst following his dismissal against the Lankans in Brisbane last Wednesday.

Lehmann's devastation at his five match suspension would hardly have abated yesterday when the man summoned to replace him, Michael Clarke, produced a faultless debut for Australia against England.

The 21-year-old Clarke - 11 years Lehmann's junior - yesterday scored an accomplished 39 not out from 47 balls to steer Australia to victory.

Clarke also filled Lehmann's part-time spinning role with aplomb, capturing his first international wicket during a seven over spell which cost just 24 runs.

"I don't think I'll know exactly what I have just done for a couple of days," Clarke said after his debut.

Clarke combined with fellow 21-year-old Shane Watson in an unbroken 49-run partnership which sealed Australia's triumph.

Australia's stand-in skipper Adam Gilchrist, who led the side while Ricky Ponting rested, was suitably impressed by the inexperienced duo's union.

"The highlight for us was the fact that two 21-year-olds from our under 19 team that played in the youth World Cup a couple of years ago were out there steering us home," Gilchrist said.

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