Australia’s ‘Mr Cricket’ Mike Hussey is the enemy within but has no regrets about joining England
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Mike Hussey couldn’t believe his ears when he answered compatriot Matthew Mott’s phone and was asked if he would help England at this Twenty20 World Cup.
‘Yeah, it surprised me,’ says a man who has been synonymous with Australian cricket since he made his debut in their post-2005 Ashes rebuild. ‘I wasn’t expecting it.
‘I did ask if I could think about it for a while, but I didn’t have to think about it for long. It was just such a great opportunity with a fantastic bunch of guys. I’m glad I took the offer.’
England whiteball coach Mike Hussey admitted he was surprised to be offered a role on the team
Hussey (center) was nicknamed ‘Mr Cricket’ in his home country of Australia after years of success as a player on the national team
So here’s Australian ‘Mr Cricket’, so named for his obsession with the Aussie game, making up an all-Australian coaching team, along with Mott and bowling consultant David Saker, helping the old enemy single-handedly fend off their countrymen’s demise. plans World Cup.
It is, of course, not uncommon for ex-players to coach other international teams in the modern game. And England was previously in safe Australian hands with Trevor Bayliss.
But it just feels a little different with Hussey. As a player, he was Australia’s ultimate team man. He was even the leader, for God’s sake, in singing the Australian victory song.
Hussey (right) was met by head coach and fellow Aussie Matthew Mott. brought into the fray of England
Now sitting here at the MCG dugouts, he proudly wears his Three Lions and says his 16-year-old son William is “quite happy with this kit.” Aussies, look away now.
“The first time I put on the England shirt it was a bit strange,” admits Hussey (left), who averaged 51 in his 79 tests. “But you work with the players and start to enjoy developing those relationships.
Hussey lifted the famous Ashes with Australia in 2007
“You forget what you’re wearing. It seems to be a big problem for everyone on the outside. But to me there is a much bigger picture than the rivalry between Australia and England.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to be involved in a new environment, a new team, a new country, to see how they handle it. It’s great for me to be able to learn, but hopefully I’ll also pass on some of my knowledge and help a few players.
“It doesn’t matter if those players are Indian, Australian or English. I just enjoy watching guys get better.’
Hussey clearly made a big impression on those English players. He was asked to hand Dawid Malan a cap at the start of this trip to mark his 50th international T20 appearance, and young pretender Harry Brook says the 47-year-old is “quality”.
“Dawid has a similar personality to me and has a similar type of play,” says Hussey. “We had a lot of fun talking about cricket and different kinds of strategies.
“I also enjoyed Harry Brook, who is open to all ideas and always ready to challenge himself. He just wants to get better.
England have had a great start to their T20 World Cup campaign in Hussey’s home country
Hussey (left) retired from international cricket with Australia in 2012 after making his debut in 2004
“Then there’s someone like Jos Buttler, who’s less concerned with the technical side of the game and more with what’s ahead and the strategy to score points. And what about Moeen Ali? He may have the best covering drive in the world.’
Mr. Cricket can continue. He is clearly as excited about England now as he is about playing for Australia. He even said yesterday that he would help Brendon McCullum win the Ashes next summer.
“I would have no problem working with England in the Ashes,” he insists. “Brendon did a fantastic job with the test team. It was great to see how they have handled their cricket over the past six months.’
It was only on the small matter of Friday’s showdown between the old foes here at the Colosseum of Australian cricket, following this morning’s game against Ireland, that Hussey paused to think.
Mott (right) called on his compatriot to join England’s coaching staff for the World Cup
“It will be a bit of a weird feeling to see Australia as part of England’s set up,” he added. ‘To hope England beat Australia, as I will on Friday? Well, it’s getting a little strange.’
Spoken like a real Australian Mr Cricket who, for now, is playing his part in England’s World Cup challenge