New Delhi, August 5 (newsalert24x7): Newly-appointed England red-ball head coach Stephen Fleming has approached former Australian batter Michael Hussey to join his support staff as the team's batting coach, according to a report by 7News Australia.
Fleming, who was handed the reins of the Test side following the departure of Brendon McCullum, reached out to the 51-year-old Hussey to gauge his interest in taking up the role. While no formal contract has been offered yet by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Hussey remains Fleming's primary choice.
IPL Connections and Existing Assignments
The potential appointment would see a remarkable Ashes twist 14 years after Hussey last played for Australia in 2013, leveraging a professional relationship with Fleming that spans over 15 years:
- Current Roles: Hussey is currently coaching Welsh Fire in The Hundred and serves as the batting coach for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
- Long-Standing Partnership: Fleming and Hussey first played together for CSK during the inaugural IPL season in 2008 before working together in the franchise's coaching set-up.
- Decision Pending: Hussey is yet to make a final decision regarding his availability for the ECB assignment.
England's Coaching Transition Timeline
The England Test set-up is preparing for a phased transition across its upcoming winter fixtures:
- Official Takeover: Stephen Fleming will officially assume charge during England's three-match Test tour of South Africa in December.
- Interim Head Coach: Former England batter Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan, starting August 19 at Headingley.
- Bowling Coach Developments: Australian David Saker will continue as bowling coach for the Pakistan series, but Fleming is expected to target South Africa’s Eric Simmons—another long-time CSK colleague—to eventually take over bowling duties.
For real-time sports updates, cricket news, and live coverage, keep refreshing newsalert24x7.
