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Former Australia batter Michael Hussey has turned down the opportunity to join England's Test coaching staff and will instead take up a consultancy role with the Australian team. Cricket Australia has added the 51-year-old to its coaching setup as the national side prepares for a demanding period featuring the Ashes, multiple World Cups and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Michael Hussey will begin his new assignment immediately, providing support during Australia's upcoming five-match T20I series against England. He will also work with the Test squad ahead of the summer series against New Zealand before taking on responsibilities across Australia's major international campaigns over the next two years.
Michael Hussey joins Australia's coaching setup for Ashes, World Cups and 2028 Olympics
Hussey will return to Australia's coaching group in a more formal capacity after previously assisting the national team during recent summers. He is set to work as a consultant coach for the 2027 Ashes and the ODI World Cup in South Africa. Cricket Australia has also assigned him a T20 advisory role ahead of two major events in 2028, the Los Angeles Olympics and the T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The former left-handed batter brings considerable international experience to the setup. He represented Australia in 302 matches across all three formats between 2005 and 2013. Hussey was part of the Australian team that won the World Cup and the Ashes.
His immediate involvement will come during the five-match T20I series against England, which begins later this month. He will also provide coaching assistance during Australia's Test preparations against New Zealand this summer.
Michael Hussey brings a plethora of experience with him
Hussey is familiar with the Australian dressing room, having worked with the national side in previously. He joined the squad for training sessions in Perth ahead of the first Tests against England, India and Pakistan over the past three years. His latest appointment expands that association into a more defined role across formats.
Since retiring from international cricket, Hussey has built an extensive coaching portfolio. He has worked with both Australia and England, including as part of Matthew Mott's coaching group when England won the 2022 T20 World Cup on Australian soil.
He also spent several years as Chennai Super Kings' batting coach under Stephen Fleming and was the head coach of Welsh Fire in this year's edition of The Hundred. His long association with Fleming at CSK had made him a potential option for England's coaching staff after the New Zealander took charge of their Test team. However, Hussey has chosen Australia's consultancy arrangement instead.
I hope I can add value - Michael Hussey
Michael Hussey expressed his excitement at returning to the Australian setup in a more formal role. He acknowledged the team's recent achievements and said he hoped his experience would help the players and coaching staff during a challenging period.
"This team has achieved so much in recent times, to which I hope I can add value to the coaching and playing groups ahead of what will be an exciting and challenging period," he said in a statement.
Head coach Andrew McDonald also welcomed the appointment, highlighting Hussey's experience across different formats and cricketing environments.
"Mike has been a highly valued part of our staff in the past and brings a considerable skill set which is complementary to the coaches and players.
"Not only is his expertise as a player and coach across multiple formats, competitions, countries invaluable, so are his qualities as a person," McDonald said.
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