Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Former Australia batter Michael Hussey has rejected 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 staff.
According to a report from The Guardian, Hussey has chosen the Australia role because its flexibility allows him to continue his existing commitments in franchise cricket, The Hundred and commentary. The 51-year-old had held talks with Fleming last month about joining England’s coaching staff but has opted to remain in Australia.
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The decision comes as England prepare for a demanding period before the 2027 Ashes. England have already sealed their ongoing Test series against Pakistan, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead with one match still to play, but Fleming’s side face tours of South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia before the Ashes.
For Hussey, the choice 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 punditry commitments with Fox Sports. He was Welsh Fire’s head coach this year and has worked as CSK’s batting coach.
Hussey already has a connection with England, having worked as a part-time consultant during their successful 2022 T20 World Cup campaign. He also has a long relationship with Fleming after the pair spent 18 years together at CSK, first during Hussey’s playing career and later in coaching roles.
HUSSEY CHOOSES FLEXIBILITY
The main attraction of Cricket Australia’s consultancy 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 batter to fit his national-team duties around his franchise and broadcasting work.
Hussey’s decision is a setback for Fleming, who had identified him as a potential addition while putting together his England support staff. The England and Wales Cricket Board can continue searching for a permanent batting coach, although former England batter Marcus Trescothick remains an option.
Trescothick has been working as England’s caretaker batting coach during the ongoing Pakistan series and has impressed in the role. England could therefore decide to retain him with the Test side while appointing another specialist to oversee batting development across their wider pathway.
AUSTRALIA GET ASHES BOOST
Hussey’s move gives Australia another experienced figure around their Test setup with the Ashes approaching. His international career included 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 across international cricket, franchise teams and coaching makes him a useful addition for Australia as they begin building towards the Ashes.
For England, meanwhile, the search for Fleming’s batting coach continues. With the Pakistan series already secured, attention will now turn towards putting together a coaching structure capable of handling the demanding run-up to the Ashes, which begins with the first Test in Perth on June 18, 2027.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
