Ashes 2015: Darren Lehmann safe as Australia coach despite defeat

Darren Lehmann has been in charge of Australia since June 2013

Australia coach Darren Lehmann is not in danger of being sacked despite losing the Ashes to England, Cricket Australia's chief executive has said.

James Sutherland was asked at a news conference if Lehmann's job was safe and responded with an emphatic "yes".

Lehmann, who took charge in 2013, led Australia to this year's World Cup win, but the Test team have suffered three crushing defeats in this Ashes series.

Sutherland said a review would be held into the team's overseas struggles.

"After every series we will sit down and review, and I think there is an opportunity for a reflection on [our] style of play," he told reporters in Melbourne.

"It's not easy playing away but it's something we have to get better at.

"We want to be the best cricket team in the world and to do that we have to be better at playing away."

England's innings-and-78-run win at Trent Bridge gave them an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series - meaning Australia have now lost three of their five away series under Lehmann.

Sutherland also backed batsman Steve Smith to take over the Test captaincy from Michael Clarke, who announced he would retire at the end of the series.

Smith captained the team in Clarke's absence during Australia's series against India in December and January.

"We have someone in waiting who has had experience as a captain," Sutherland said.

"In recent months he has been rated as the best Test cricketer in the world. Steven is ready for this challenge but no-one is ready-made to just walk into it."