Australia appoint Mike Hussey as consultant for Ashes and 2027 Cricket World Cup
Former Australia batsman Mike Hussey, known as 'Mr Cricket', commits to the national side after turning down an approach from England.
At a glance
- Australia appointed former batsman Mike Hussey as a consultant coach on Friday.
- His role covers next year's Ashes, the 2027 Cricket World Cup and the 2028 T20 World Cup and LA Olympics.
- Hussey turned down an informal approach from England's red-ball coach Stephen Fleming to be their Test batting mentor.
Australia has appointed former batsman Mike Hussey as a consultant coach to the national team, a role covering next year's Ashes series against England and the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
The appointment was announced on Friday. Hussey, 51, will also work with Australia during this month's home T20 series against England and the four-Test series against New Zealand that follows. He will stay involved for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket is on the agenda, and the 2028 T20 World Cup.
An approach from England turned down
The former Australia international, nicknamed "Mr Cricket" for his technical expertise, revealed in August that England's new red-ball coach, Stephen Fleming, had informally approached him about becoming England's Test batting mentor. Hussey rejected the offer and has instead committed to helping Australia, whose batting has come under scrutiny after a 2-1 Test series defeat in South Africa.
"I am extremely excited about being a part of the team in a more formal and meaningful role in the coming years," said Hussey, who played more than 300 matches for Australia across all formats. He said the team had achieved a great deal in recent times and that he hoped to add value to the coaching and playing groups ahead of an exciting and challenging period.
Wide coaching experience
Hussey has coached extensively in both Australia and England. He was part of England's coaching setup when they won the T20 World Cup in 2022, spent years as Chennai Super Kings' batting coach under Fleming in the Indian Premier League, and led Welsh Fire in this year's Hundred.
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said Hussey had been a highly valued part of the staff in the past and brought a skill set that complements the current coaches and players. McDonald said Hussey's expertise as a player and coach across multiple formats, competitions and countries was invaluable, and so were his qualities as a person.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- Who has Australia appointed as a consultant coach?
- Former Australia batsman Mike Hussey, who will work with the team through the Ashes, the 2027 Cricket World Cup, the 2028 T20 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- Did Mike Hussey turn down an offer from England?
- Yes. Hussey revealed in August that England's new red-ball coach, Stephen Fleming, had informally approached him about becoming England's Test batting mentor, and he declined.
- Which matches will Hussey work on first with Australia?
- He will provide coaching assistance during this month's home T20 series against England, followed by the four-Test series against New Zealand.
