New England Test head coach Stephen Fleming has reportedly moved quickly to assemble his coaching staff, with SEN reporting that he has approached former Australia batter Michael Hussey to become England's batting coach. Although the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has not yet made a formal offer, Hussey is believed to be Fleming's preferred candidate as England prepare for a new chapter in Test cricket.
Hussey, 51, is currently part of the coaching setup at Welsh Fire in The Hundred and has not yet decided whether he will be available for the role. If appointed, the move would reunite two of cricket's most respected figures, whose professional partnership spans nearly two decades.
The duo first came together during the inaugural Indian Premier League season in 2008 with Chennai Super Kings. While Fleming played only one season for the franchise before taking over as head coach in 2009, Hussey became one of CSK's most dependable overseas batters, scoring 2,213 runs in 64 matches between 2008 and 2015 before moving into coaching.
Fleming and Hussey's successful partnership
Fleming and Hussey worked together at Chennai Super Kings for around 15 years in both playing and coaching roles. Hussey enjoyed considerable success with the bat, winning the Orange Cap in 2013 after amassing 733 runs, before later becoming the franchise's batting coach.
Together, they helped establish CSK's reputation for consistency, experienced leadership and a composed team culture, contributing to several IPL title-winning campaigns.
Their long association ended earlier this year when Fleming left the franchise following the 2026 IPL season.
Fleming's familiarity with Hussey's coaching philosophy and player-management style is believed to have made the former Australian batter his top choice to oversee England's batting department. Reports have also suggested that Fleming could look to bring in former CSK bowling coach Eric Simons to strengthen England's pace bowling unit.
Although Fleming has been appointed as England's permanent Test head coach, he will not begin his tenure immediately. Marcus Trescothick will remain in charge for England's three-Test home series against Pakistan, beginning on August 19, before Fleming officially takes over for the three-Test tour of South Africa, which starts in Johannesburg on December 17. Australian bowling coach David Saker will continue with the team for the Pakistan series.
