Former Australian batting great Mike Hussey has been appointed as a consultant coach to the national men’s cricket team, strengthening Andrew McDonald’s coaching group ahead of a busy international schedule featuring the 2027 Ashes, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and major T20 competitions in 2028.

Cricket Australia confirmed the appointment on November 6, 2026, announcing that Hussey will take on multiple responsibilities across formats over the next few years. The former left-handed batter will work as a consultant coach for the 2027 Ashes against England and the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, while also serving as a specialist T20 adviser for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cycle.

The appointment brings considerable experience into Australia’s coaching setup at an important stage. Known as ‘Mr Cricket’ during his playing career, Hussey represented Australia in 302 international matches across all three formats and has developed an impressive coaching career since retiring from international cricket.

His return comes as Australia prepare for several challenging assignments, with the team looking to maintain its competitiveness across formats while building towards some of the biggest tournaments on the international calendar.

Mike Hussey’s new responsibilities with Australia

Under his expanded role, Hussey will work closely with head coach Andrew McDonald, other members of the coaching staff and the national selection panel.

His responsibilities will extend beyond batting advice. As Australia’s T20 adviser, he will provide specialist input on campaign strategy, opposition analysis, player scouting and performance planning.

The additional support will be particularly important as Australia’s coaching staff manage a demanding Test schedule over the next 12 months. Hussey’s involvement will allow the team to maintain its focus on shorter formats while preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the T20 World Cup.

Cricket Australia also confirmed that Hussey will begin his new assignment during the upcoming T20I series against England on home soil. He will subsequently assist the Australian squad with preparations for the Test series against New Zealand.

Hussey has previously worked with the national team during Australian summers, particularly in batting consultancy roles. His expanded responsibilities now give him a more formal position within the coaching structure.

Hussey brings international and franchise coaching experience

Hussey’s appointment is backed by an impressive playing and coaching background. During his international career, he played 79 Tests, 185 ODIs and 38 T20Is for Australia, establishing himself as one of the country’s most dependable middle-order batters.

He scored more than 12,000 international runs and became particularly respected for his temperament, technical ability and understanding of different match situations.

However, his experience is not limited to his playing achievements.

Following his retirement, Hussey moved into coaching and worked across different international and franchise cricket environments. One of his notable assignments came with England, where he was part of the coaching setup that helped the team win the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

He also spent several seasons working with Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, gaining considerable experience in one of the world’s most competitive T20 tournaments. His involvement in The Hundred further strengthened his understanding of modern franchise cricket and the demands of short-format competitions.

This combination of international and franchise experience makes him a valuable addition to Australia’s coaching group, particularly with the team preparing for cricket’s return to the Olympic programme.

Mike Hussey excited about returning to Australia’s coaching setup

Hussey expressed his excitement about taking on a more substantial role with the Australian men’s team. The former batter believes the coming years will present an exciting challenge and hopes his experience can contribute to the team’s continued success.

“I am extremely excited about being part of the team in a more formal and meaningful role over the coming years,” Hussey said.

He also acknowledged Australia’s achievements in recent years and expressed his desire to make a positive contribution to both the coaching and playing groups.

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald also welcomed the appointment, highlighting Hussey’s extensive knowledge of the game and his ability to complement the existing coaching staff.

“Mike has been a highly valued part of our staff in the past and brings a considerable skill set that complements both the coaches and players,” McDonald said.

The Australian head coach further emphasised that Hussey’s experience across multiple formats, competitions and countries would be valuable to the national team.

Australia looking towards a crucial cricketing cycle

Hussey’s appointment comes at a significant time for Australian cricket. The team has several important assignments ahead, beginning with the upcoming home series against England and New Zealand.

The 2027 Ashes will be one of the biggest challenges, with Australia aiming to compete strongly against their traditional rivals in England. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in 2027, will also demand careful preparation.

Beyond those competitions, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will mark cricket’s return to the Olympic stage. Australia’s T20 setup will therefore need a clear long-term strategy, particularly with the next T20 World Cup also scheduled for 2028 in Australia and New Zealand.

Hussey’s experience in international cricket, the IPL and The Hundred could prove particularly useful as Australia identify players, develop combinations and prepare for the changing demands of the shortest format.

His appointment is more than just an addition to the coaching staff. It represents Australia’s effort to strengthen their support structure ahead of a demanding period in world cricket.

With major tournaments approaching, Australian supporters will be hoping that the return of Mr Cricket can help the national team maintain its winning standards and deliver strong performances across all three formats.

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