Michael Hussey Snubs England, Joins Australia’s Coaching Setup for Ashes, World Cups and Olympics

Michael Hussey has made his choice, and it is green and gold. The former Australia batter has turned down a chance to join England’s Test coaching staff and signed on as a consultant with Cricket Australia. A packed run of Ashes, World Cup and Olympic assignments awaits.

Hussey Picks Australia Over England

Cricket Australia has added the 51-year-old to its coaching setup as the national side prepares for a demanding period. That stretch features an Ashes series, multiple World Cups and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Hussey starts immediately. He will support Australia during the upcoming five-match T20I series against England, which begins later this month.

He will then help the Test squad ahead of the summer series against New Zealand. After that, he takes on responsibilities across Australia’s major international campaigns over the next two years.

The decision carries extra intrigue. Hussey’s long association with Stephen Fleming at Chennai Super Kings had made him a potential option for England’s staff after Fleming took charge of their Test team. Hussey instead chose Australia’s consultancy arrangement.

What Is Hussey’s New Role?

This is a more formal return to a group he already knows well. He previously assisted the national side in recent summers, joining training sessions in Perth ahead of the first Tests against England, India and Pakistan over the past three years.

2027 Ashes and ODI World Cup

Hussey is set to work as a consultant coach for the 2027 Ashes and the ODI World Cup in South Africa. Both are marquee events where tactical detail and experienced voices can swing tight contests.

T20 Advisory for 2028

Cricket Australia has also handed him a T20 advisory role for two major events in 2028. Those are the Los Angeles Olympics and the T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. According to ESPNcricinfo, the 2028 Olympics and T20 World Cup are the major focus of the role.

A Career Built on Big Stages

Hussey brings serious pedigree. The left-handed batter played 302 matches for Australia across all three formats between 2005 and 2013. He was part of the side that won the World Cup and the Ashes.

A Coaching Résumé That Crosses Borders

Since retiring, Hussey has built a wide coaching portfolio. He has worked with both Australia and England. That includes time in Matthew Mott’s group when England won the 2022 T20 World Cup on Australian soil.

He also spent several years as Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach under Fleming. Most recently, he was head coach of Welsh Fire in this year’s edition of The Hundred.

What Hussey and McDonald Said

Hussey said he was excited to return in a more formal capacity and hoped to contribute to a team that has enjoyed recent success.

“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.”

Head coach Andrew McDonald welcomed the move and pointed to Hussey’s experience across formats and 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.”

Why This Appointment Matters

Australia faces a heavy calendar, and Hussey offers a rare mix of Ashes-winning playing experience and modern T20 coaching knowledge. He has seen how England operate, how CSK build innings and how a franchise side is run in The Hundred.

That insight could prove valuable in a five-match T20I series against England right away. It could matter even more when the Olympics and the home T20 World Cup arrive in 2028.

For England, missing out on a figure so close to Fleming is a small blow. For Australia, it is a statement of intent ahead of the biggest stretch in their schedule.