Key points
- Cricket Australia appointed Mike Hussey as a consultant coach for the 2027 Ashes and the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
- Hussey will also serve as a T20 advisor as Australia prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2028 T20 World Cup.
- His expanded role begins with coaching assistance during Australia’s upcoming T20I series against England and preparation for the home Test series against New Zealand.
- Hussey played 79 Tests for Australia and averaged more than 51, according to Cricket.com.au.
- The 51-year-old previously worked as Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach and was part of England’s coaching staff for their 2022 T20 World Cup win.
- Australia head coach Andrew McDonald said Hussey’s skills across formats and competitions would complement the existing coaching group.
Former Australia batter Mike Hussey has joined the national men’s team support staff in an expanded consultancy role, with responsibilities covering the 2027 Ashes and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027. Cricket Australia announced the appointment on Friday, November 6, confirming that the 51-year-old will also act as a T20 advisor as the team looks further ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the next T20 World Cup.
Hussey, widely known as “Mr Cricket”, returns to a more formal role with the Australian setup after previous short-term assignments. His appointment comes as Australia prepare for a busy international schedule across formats, beginning with the upcoming T20I series against England and the home Test series against New Zealand.
Expanded role across formats
As consultant coach, Hussey will assist Australia’s preparation for the 2027 Ashes in England and the 2027 ODI World Cup. His responsibilities in the shortest format will extend beyond those assignments: he will advise the national team as it builds towards cricket’s return to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 and the T20 World Cup scheduled for the same year.
Hussey is expected to begin work almost immediately. Cricket.com.au reported that he will provide coaching assistance during the five-match T20I series against England later this month and work with the Test squad ahead of the summer series against New Zealand. The expanded arrangement gives Australia access to his experience across red-ball and white-ball cricket as the team moves through a demanding period.
“I am extremely excited about being a part of the team in a more formal and meaningful role in the coming years,” Hussey said in comments carried by Cricket Australia. He added that he hoped to contribute to the coaching and playing groups during what he described as an exciting and challenging period for the team.
Experience from international cricket and franchise coaching
Hussey played 79 Tests for Australia and averaged more than 51 in the format. Cricket.com.au noted that he also represented the country in 185 one-day internationals and 38 T20 internationals, taking his international appearances beyond 300. His playing career gave him experience in all three formats, while his reputation for technical precision earned him the “Mr Cricket” nickname.
His coaching background spans international teams and franchise competitions. He was part of England’s coaching group when they won the 2022 T20 World Cup and spent several seasons as batting coach of Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. He has also coached in The Hundred, including leading Welsh Fire in 2026, according to AFP.
Hussey’s new appointment follows a period of change in his franchise commitments. Reports on the CSK coaching reset said the franchise had parted ways with him as it reshaped its support staff ahead of IPL 2027. His return to a broader national role now places his attention on Australia’s international programme.
Australia look to strengthen batting preparation
The appointment comes after a difficult stretch for Australia’s Test batting group, including a 2-1 series defeat in South Africa. Reuters reported that the result had intensified scrutiny of the batting unit and formed part of the context for Hussey’s expanded consultancy. His role is not limited to the Test side, however, with his T20 advisory work and 2027 white-ball assignment also part of the arrangement.
Head coach Andrew McDonald welcomed the addition, saying Hussey had been a valued member of the staff in the past and brought skills that would complement the coaches and players. McDonald also highlighted the former batter’s experience across formats, competitions and countries, alongside his personal qualities.
Hussey’s appointment gives Australia an experienced former international batter for a schedule that includes an Ashes campaign, an ODI World Cup and major T20 events. The immediate focus will be the England T20I series and the New Zealand Tests, before the consultant role feeds into preparations for the larger tournaments in 2027 and 2028.
Frequently asked questions
What role has Mike Hussey taken up with the Australian cricket team?
Mike Hussey has been appointed a consultant coach for Australia’s 2027 Ashes campaign and the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. He will also serve as a T20 advisor as the team prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2028 T20 World Cup.
When will Mike Hussey begin working with Australia?
Hussey’s expanded role begins with coaching assistance around Australia’s upcoming five-match T20I series against England. He will also work with the team ahead of its home Test series against New Zealand during the current international summer.
Was Mike Hussey previously a coach of Chennai Super Kings?
Yes. Hussey served as Chennai Super Kings’ batting coach for several seasons in the IPL. He has also worked in international coaching, including with England’s staff during their 2022 T20 World Cup-winning campaign, and coached Welsh Fire in The Hundred.
How many Test matches did Mike Hussey play for Australia?
Hussey played 79 Tests for Australia and averaged more than 51, according to Cricket.com.au. He also represented the country in 185 one-day internationals and 38 T20 internationals, taking his total international appearances beyond 300 across formats.
Which tournaments will Mike Hussey help Australia prepare for?
Hussey’s consultant coaching responsibilities include the 2027 Ashes in England and the 2027 ODI World Cup. His T20 advisory role will support Australia’s preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2028 T20 World Cup.