Michael Hussey turns down England coach role for Australia job in Ashes twist

Former Australia batsman Michael Hussey has turned down the chance to become England’s Test batting coach and is instead set to take up a part-time consultancy role with Cricket Australia. The decision is a boost for Australia ahead of next year’s Ashes and leaves England Test head coach Stephen Fleming looking for another option in his backroom team.

According to a report in The Guardian, Hussey chose the Australia role because its flexibility allows him to continue with his existing commitments in franchise cricket, The Hundred and commentary. The 51-year-old held talks with Fleming last month about joining the England coaching staff but decided to stay in Australia.

The decision comes as England prepare for a tough period ahead of the 2027 Ashes. England have already sealed their ongoing Test series against Pakistanwho took an elusive 2-0 lead with one match to play but Fleming’s side face a pre-Ashes tour of South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia.

For Hussey, the selection also means he can continue his work with Welsh Fire in The Hundred and Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), while retaining his commentary and prison commitments with Fox Sports. This year he was the head coach of Welsh Fire and worked as CSK’s batting coach.

Hussey already has links with England, having worked as a part-time consultant during their successful T20 World Cup 2022 campaign. He also has a long relationship with Fleming after spending 18 years together at CSK, first during Hussey’s playing career and later in coaching roles.

HUSSEY CHOOSES FLEXIBILITY

The main attraction of the Cricket Australia advisory role appears to be the freedom it gives Hussey to balance international coaching with his other commitments. Australia’s Test schedule is also demanding, but the part-time arrangement allows the former batsman to fit in his national team franchise and broadcasting responsibilities.

Hussey’s decision is a setback for Fleming, who identified him as a potential addition as he put together his England support team. The England and Wales Cricket Board may continue their search for a permanent batting coach, although former England batsman Marcus Trescothick remains an option.

Trescothick worked as England’s batting coach during the ongoing Pakistan series and impressed in his role. England may therefore have decided to keep him in the Test side while also appointing another specialist to oversee batting development across their wider path.

AUSTRALIA GET ASHES UP

Hussey’s move gives Australia another experienced figure around their Test set-up with the Ashes looming. His international career spanned 79 Tests, 185 ODIs and 38 T20Is, with the left-hander scoring 6,235 Test runs at an average of 51.52.

Hussey retired from international cricket in 2013 after helping Australia win the 2007 World Cup. His experience in international cricket, franchise teams and coaching makes him a useful addition to Australia as they begin to build their way to the Ashes.

For England, meanwhile, the search continues for Fleming’s batting coach. With the Pakistan series already secured, the focus will now turn to putting together a coaching structure capable of handling the tough run-up to the Ashes, which begins with the first Test in Perth on June 18, 2027.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

02 Sep 2026 09:27 IST