Hussey joins Australia's coaching ranks for 2027 Ashes, World Cup and 2028 T20 World Cup

Australia have appointed former batter Michael Hussey as a coaching consultant for the 2027 Ashes and ODI World Cup as well as a T20 advisor for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Hussey has done short secondments with the Australia team under Andrew McDonald in recent years, mainly as an extra batting consultant in the lead-up to the Perth Test each year but has been unavailable for further commitments due to his commentary roles and his coaching positions with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL and Welsh Fire in the Hundred.

Hussey was approached for a role with long-time colleague Stephen Fleming when the New Zealander took over the England Test job earlier this year. But Hussey turned down that opportunity to instead take on a more significant coaching consultancy with Australia which will start with the upcoming T20I series against England before helping with the New Zealand Test series preparation in Perth.

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

"This team has achieved so much in recent times, to which I hope I can add value to the coaching and playing groups ahead of what will be an exciting and challenging period."

McDonald was thrilled to welcome Hussey into the ranks. "Mike has been a highly valued part of our staff in the past and brings a considerable skill set which is complementary to the coaches and players," he said.

"Not only is his expertise as a player and coach across multiple formats, competitions, countries invaluable, so are his qualities as a person."

Hussey's major focus will be in the T20 space, having been part of England's winning T20 World Cup coaching group with Matthew Mott in 2022.

McDonald is set to rest from the upcoming T20I series against England, with assistant coach Andre Borovec to take over as he has done for many T20 series over the past three years when McDonald has rested to prepare for bigger series. Hussey will begin his consultancy with Borovec and a young squad against England. Australia's head of national teams Ben Oliver said Hussey will continue to participate in the planning and build to the 2028 T20 events while not working with the team.

"With a heavy schedule of Test cricket over the coming 12 months, Mike will work closely with team management, coaches and selectors to provide additional T20 support during this time," Oliver said.

"Mike has extensive T20 experience and we look forward to the impact that he will have on the team as we prepare for the LA Olympics and T20 World Cup in 2028."