Mike Hussey named consultant coach for Australia ahead of 2027 Ashes and World Cup
On November 6, 2026, former Australia batter Mike Hussey will take on an expanded role with the Australian national team as a consultant coach ahead of the 2027 Ashes and the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. He will also serve as a T20 advisor as Australia prepares for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the next T20 World Cup cycle.
Cricket Australia announced the arrangement in a statement and quoted Hussey saying, "I am extremely excited about being a part of the team in a more formal and meaningful role in the coming years." Cricket Australia General Manager of National Teams Ben Oliver welcomed the expanded arrangement and said, "We are thrilled to have Mike expand his role with the team. Mike brings substantial international experience having represented Australia more than 300 times across his celebrated playing career," while head coach Andrew McDonald backed the appointment, pointing to Hussey's knowledge across formats and his ability to complement the existing coaching group.
Australia faces a packed international calendar across formats over the next two years, and Hussey's remit will begin by providing coaching assistance during the upcoming T20I series against England and working with the team ahead of the Test series against New Zealand, before he takes on broader responsibilities for the major tournaments in 2027 and 2028.
In the shortest format his advisory duties will include campaign planning, opposition analysis, player scouting and performance support. With the Test programme expected to keep the coaching staff occupied in the coming months, Cricket Australia said Hussey's role will give additional focus to the T20 setup.
Hussey, a former left-hander, played more than 300 international matches for Australia and earned the nickname 'Mr Cricket' during his career. Since retiring he has developed a coaching portfolio that spans international assignments, the Indian Premier League and The Hundred, and he was part of England's coaching setup during their 2022 T20 World Cup triumph.
The appointment continues an existing association: Hussey has previously worked with the Australian side during recent summers, and Cricket Australia described the expanded role as a continuation of that relationship. McDonald said Hussey's combined experience as a player and coach would be valuable to the group and praised his personal qualities.
Hussey will begin his expanded role during Australia's T20I series against England later this month and will provide coaching assistance throughout that series before preparing with the squad ahead of the New Zealand Test series and the major tournaments scheduled for 2027 and 2028.