Michael Hussey has reportedly turned down the chance to become England’s batting coach, choosing instead a consultancy role with Cricket Australia. England’s Test head coach Stephen Fleming, appointed in July 2026, is said to have approached him in August about joining the support staff.
A familiar partnership, but a different choice
Fleming and Hussey know each other well from Chennai Super Kings, where Hussey was first a player and later a batting coach. Even so, the 51-year-old former Australia batter is understood to have favoured a more flexible arrangement.
The Cricket Australia position would let him stay involved in franchise cricket and broadcasting while still contributing to the Australian game, without the demands of a full-time international coaching job. He has been juggling coaching, franchise work and media duties, including leading Welsh Fire as head coach in The Hundred in 2026.
Hussey has worked with England before on a part-time basis, joining their support staff for the 2022 T20 World Cup, which England won.
England must look elsewhere
With Hussey out of the picture, England have to decide who will take permanent charge of batting. Marcus Trescothick has been covering the role on an interim basis during the current Test series against Pakistan.
The timing matters. Fleming faces a busy schedule, with England due to tour South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia before hosting the Ashes, so settling the batting coach position will be an important part of that preparation.
