England Test coach Fleming approaches Michael Hussey

England’s newly appointed Test head coach Stephen Fleming has approached former Australian batsman Michael Hussey to become the team’s batting coach, according to multiple reports. The informal approach, made shortly after Fleming’s own appointment, seeks to reunite a partnership that spanned nearly 15 years at the Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings.

While the England and Wales Cricket Board has not yet extended a formal offer, Hussey is understood to be Fleming’s preferred candidate for the role. Hussey, 51, is currently the head coach of Welsh Fire in The Hundred competition and has not yet decided on his availability for the England position. If he accepts, it would mark a notable crossing of the traditional Ashes rivalry, with an Australian taking a key coaching role within the England setup.

The pair’s professional relationship dates to the inaugural IPL in 2008, where they were teammates at Chennai Super Kings. Fleming later became the franchise’s head coach in 2009, while Hussey served as a premier batsman before transitioning to a batting coach role within the team’s staff. Together, they were integral to building one of the IPL’s most successful...