Stephen Fleming eyes Michael Hussey as England Test batting coach
Synopsis
Stephen Fleming's first major coaching decision as England's red-ball boss could reunite him with Michael Hussey — a partnership forged at Chennai Super Kings over 15 years ago. With no contract on the table yet and Hussey juggling Welsh Fire and CSK duties, the appointment is far from sealed, but it signals Fleming's intent to build his backroom from trusted, proven allies.
Key Takeaways
Stephen Fleming , newly appointed England red-ball head coach, has approached Michael Hussey , 51 , for the batting coach role, according to reports.
No formal contract has been offered by the ECB ; Hussey remains Fleming's primary choice .
Hussey is currently coaching Welsh Fire in The Hundred and is batting coach at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) .
Fleming and Hussey share a professional relationship of over 15 years , dating to the inaugural IPL season in 2008 .
Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach for the Pakistan Test series starting 19 August at Headingley .
Fleming is also reportedly targeting Eric Simmons — another CSK colleague — to eventually take charge of bowling duties.
Newly-appointed England red-ball head coach Stephen Fleming has approached former Australian batter Michael Hussey to serve as the Test side's batting coach, according to a report by 7News Australia published on Wednesday, 5 August. No formal contract has yet been offered by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), but Hussey is understood to be Fleming's primary choice for the position.
The Approach and Current Status
Fleming, who was handed the England Test coaching role following the sacking of Brendon McCullum, reached out to Hussey, 51, to gauge his interest in the role. Hussey is presently coaching Welsh Fire in The Hundred and has yet to confirm his availability. He also holds the position of batting coach at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) — the franchise where Fleming served as head coach since 2009.
A Long-Standing Professional Bond
The potential appointment would mark a notable reunion, coming 14 years after Hussey last represented Australia in 2013. Fleming and Hussey share a professional relationship stretching over 15 years, having first played alongside each other at CSK during the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2008, before transitioning into a coach-and-assistant-coach dynamic at the same franchise.
England's Transitional Coaching Setup
Fleming, the former New Zealand captain, is officially scheduled to take charge of the England side during their three-match Test tour of South Africa in December. In the interim, former England batter Marcus Trescothick will serve as acting head coach for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan, beginning 19 August at Headingley.
Australian David Saker will continue as bowling coach for the Pakistan series. Separately, reports indicate Fleming is also targeting South Africa's Eric Simmons — another long-time colleague from his CSK tenure — to eventually take over bowling duties. Simmons currently serves as a bowling consultant at CSK and previously coached India's bowling attack during their 2011 Men's ODI World Cup triumph, as well as working within the South Africa set-up.
What to Watch
The ECB's new-look support staff is still taking shape, with several key appointments pending ahead of the South Africa tour. Whether Hussey accepts the role — balancing his commitments at CSK and The Hundred — will be the first major test of Fleming's ability to assemble a cohesive backroom team. A decision is expected in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
Or around franchise familiarity? The CSK pipeline has produced outstanding cricket minds, but Test and T20 franchise cultures are distinct, and the ECB will need to demonstrate that these appointments are merit-driven rather than comfort-driven. With the Ashes cycle looming and England's red-ball identity still in flux after McCullum's exit, the backroom choices Fleming makes now will define the credibility of his tenure before he coaches a single Test ball.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Michael Hussey been officially appointed as England's batting coach?
No. According to reports, Stephen Fleming has approached Hussey and he is the primary choice, but the ECB has not yet offered a formal contract. Hussey has not confirmed his availability.
Why was Brendon McCullum replaced as England Test head coach?
The source material confirms McCullum was sacked and replaced by Fleming but does not detail the reasons. Fleming has since been appointed as the new England red-ball head coach.
When does Stephen Fleming officially take charge of England?
Fleming is scheduled to officially take charge during England's three-match Test tour of South Africa in December. Marcus Trescothick will serve as interim head coach for the Pakistan series starting 19 August at Headingley.
What is Michael Hussey currently doing in cricket?
Hussey is coaching Welsh Fire in The Hundred and serves as batting coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL — the same franchise where Fleming has been head coach since 2009.
Who is Eric Simmons and why is he linked to England's coaching staff?
Eric Simmons is a South African bowling coach currently serving as a bowling consultant at CSK. Reports indicate Fleming may target him to eventually take over England's bowling duties. Simmons previously coached India's bowling attack during their 2011 Men's ODI World Cup win.
