Hussey Joins Australia Staff Ahead of Ashes and World Cup
The former batsman will assist the team through a batting slump following a loss in South Africa.
By Julia Novak ·
Mike Hussey will take on a formal coaching role for the Australian cricket team starting this month. He was appointed on Friday to guide the squad through the upcoming T20 series against England and a four-Test series against New Zealand.
The 51-year-old consultant was selected to help stabilize Australia's batting performance after a 2-1 Test series defeat in South Africa. This loss exposed vulnerabilities in the team's top order that the new staff aims to address before major international tournaments.
Hussey's appointment extends to the 2027 Cricket World Cup and the 2026 Ashes series against England. He will also provide support during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2028 T20 World Cup.
The former player had previously declined an informal offer from England in August. Stephen Fleming, the current England red-ball coach, had approached him to serve as a Test batting mentor. Hussey chose to return to his home country to tackle the immediate challenges facing the Australian lineup.
Head coach Andrew McDonald described Hussey as a highly valued member of the staff who brings a skill set complementary to the current group. McDonald noted that Hussey's expertise across multiple formats and countries is invaluable to the players.
Hussey, who played more than 300 matches for Australia, expressed excitement about joining the team in a meaningful capacity. He stated that he hopes to add value to the coaching and playing groups during what he described as an exciting and challenging period.
