Michael Hussey joins Australia's coaching staff for T20I series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan

Sport360 staff 09:26 21/10/2019
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  • Former Australian cricketers Michael Hussey and Ryan Harris have been roped in by head coach Justin Langer to mentor the team during the Twenty20 international series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan during the summer.

    Harris, who picked up 161 international wickets in his five-year career, has been made the bowling coach for the series. He replaces Troy Cooley, who  is leaving his job at the Australia’s National Cricket Centre academy in Brisbane.

    The duo join a backroom team that already boasts the presence of other former Australian greats, including Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh. David Saker, Brad Haddin and Adam Griffith were previously part of the Australian team’s coaching staff temporarily.

    Former test batsman Hussey, who was nicknamed ‘Mr. Cricket’ during his playing days, said he was also being looked at for a role in the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.

    “I’m very excited actually. I’m really looking forward to getting back in around the Aussie team,” 44-year-old Hussey, who played 38 T20 internationals for Australia, told News Ltd media.

    “They have floated the possibility of being involved closer to the T20 World Cup as well, but it’s all pretty loose at the moment.”

    Langer believes that the presence of such elite former players will help in the development of the current crop of Australian cricketers.

    “I can’t tell you how influential these guys can be on the group,” Langer said on Cricket Australia’s website.”It’s about building our leadership, about honing their skills as cricketers, and they can just complement the other guys who are full-time coaches.”

    Australia begin their home summer with a three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka that begins in Adelaide on October 27. This will be followed by another T20I series against Pakistan which commences on November 3.

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