Australia have appointed former international batter Mike Hussey as a consultant coach as the team looks to strengthen its batting department ahead of a busy period in international cricket.
The 51-year-old will work with Australia’s men’s teams, initially joining the setup during the upcoming T20 series against England, which begins on November 21. His responsibilities will include supporting the Test side over the next 12 months before contributing to preparations for major white-ball competitions.
Hussey’s appointment comes after a difficult period for Australian cricket, particularly in Test matches. The team recently suffered a 2-1 series defeat against South Africa, with batting struggles and a costly collapse in the deciding Test highlighting concerns within the lineup.
Australia also endured a disappointing defeat against Bangladesh in August, losing a Test match by nine wickets. The result added to the pressure on the team’s batting group and increased the need for experienced guidance ahead of the next major assignments.
Head coach Andrew McDonald welcomed Hussey’s arrival, highlighting his extensive playing and coaching experience. The former Australia batter has worked in different cricket environments, including international teams and franchise competitions, bringing knowledge across multiple formats.
Hussey represented Australia in 302 international matches across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Known as Mr Cricket, he was respected for his consistency, composure and ability to perform under pressure. He scored more than 12,000 international runs and played an important role in Australia’s success during his career.
After retiring from international cricket, Hussey continued his involvement in the game through coaching and mentoring roles. He has worked in franchise cricket, including the Indian Premier League and The Hundred, and was also part of England’s coaching staff when they won the 2022 T20 World Cup.
His experience in both international and franchise cricket is expected to help Australia’s players adapt to different conditions and challenges. The appointment also gives the coaching staff another experienced voice as they prepare for a demanding international schedule.
Australia’s upcoming priorities include the Ashes series in England in 2027 and the 2027 ODI World Cup. Hussey will also provide advisory support for cricket at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the following T20 World Cup.
His immediate involvement will begin with the T20 series against England, before he works more closely with the Test squad. Australia will hope his experience and technical knowledge can help improve the team’s batting performances as they prepare for some of the biggest challenges on the international calendar.
