Michael Hussey Considers Joining Stephen Fleming’s England Coaching Setup

Michael Hussey, 53, is set to begin his tenure with England by leading the three‑Test tour of South Africa later this year. He plans to arrive in the UK in September to reacquaint himself with the county structure and start winter preparations, which will involve selecting his back‑room team. Initial talks have already taken place with Hussey about a possible batting or assistant‑coach role. The two have a long‑standing relationship, having collaborated for nearly two decades with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Hussey also served as a batting consultant for England during their victorious T20 World Cup campaign in 2022, a position endorsed by Rob Key, who continues as the men’s managing director.

The Australian, who averaged 51.52 across 79 Tests, said that Fleming’s approach was informal but will be weighed over the coming weeks. He expressed no reservations about returning to England’s coaching setup, even if it pits him against his home country in next summer’s Ashes.

“The new England head coach for the red‑ball side is Stephen Fleming – I have worked with him at the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL for roughly 18 years,” Hussey told Fox Sports News. “We get along extremely well and have collaborated extensively. It was essentially an off‑hand remark, really, along the lines of, ‘What do you think? Would you consider taking on the batting coach role?’”

“I haven’t had any time to think about it yet. I only just returned from the UK after coaching in the Hundred, so the idea hasn’t crossed my mind.”

“Would I? I wouldn’t rule anything out – whether it’s England, Australia, India, Pakistan or South Africa. I simply love coaching and the chance to work with different groups of players.”

Michael Hussey on deliberating whether to take up the England role

“I have previously worked with England during the T20 World Cup, and I must admit that pulling on that training shirt felt odd at first. Yet once you step into the nets and start engaging with the players, the jersey you’re wearing fades into the background.”

One factor Hussey will weigh is lifestyle. England’s Test schedule is packed, with the ongoing Headingley match against Pakistan marking the first of 15 Tests slated for the next 12 months. Accepting the role would mean considerable time away from his family for the Western Australian, who is presently on a break after returning from the UK, where he coached Welsh Fire in the men’s Hundred.

The ECB is not rushing to confirm Fleming’s back‑room staff, especially given the existing coaching resources and facilities at its disposal. Trescothick, Jeetan Patel and Tim Southee remain attached to the Test side and are expected to rejoin McCullum for September’s white‑ball series against Sri Lanka. Whether they retain their positions beyond the summer is still uncertain.

Cricinfo also understands that the ECB is looking to create an overarching batting lead, similar to the role Troy Cooley currently holds as the elite national pace‑bowling lead. Like Cooley, this position would oversee the development and coaching of batsmen across all formats, from the senior international squad down to age‑group teams.

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