Michael Hussey rejects England Test role to sign part-time deal with Australia

Michael Hussey has rejected the chance to become England’s Test batting coach in favour of a part-time deal with Cricket Australia.The former Australia batter held talks last month with the new England Test head coach, Stephen Fleming, about joining his backroom team but is understood to have opted to stay in Australia in a boost for Pat Cummins’ side before the Ashes next year.Hussey is believed to have accepted Cricket Australia’s offer of a consultancy role as it gives him the flexibility to continue with existing commitments, such as coaching in the Hundred and other franchise tournaments, as well as commentary and punditry work for Fox Sports in Australia.The 51-year-old was head coach of Welsh Fire in the Hundred this year and has worked as a batting coach for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.Fleming worked closely with Hussey during 18 years at CSK as a player and coach which ended this year, but he has been unable to persuade him to join England.Hussey coached England on a part-time consultant contract during their victorious T20 World Cup campaign in 2022, but a full-time role as Test batting coach would have been far more onerous given this winter features tours to South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia before the home Ashes series next summer.Australia’s Test schedule is just as intense, but Hussey will be allowed to fit his coaching duties around other commitments.Fleming will be permitted to continue searching for a batting coach, although the England and Wales Cricket Board may opt to retain Marcus Trescothick, who has impressed in a caretaker role in the current Test series against Pakistan.If Trescothick stays with the Test team the ECB could opt to appoint a new head of batting coaching across all their development teams.Cricket Australia and the ECB declined to comment.