In that first year he often said to me, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing!’” If there is one man who can lift the lid on England’s inscrutable new Test coach, it is Mike Hussey. The former Australia Test star has worked closely with Stephen Fleming for the best part of the past 20 years – playing alongside, underneath and as part of the same coaching staff at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League. Hussey and Fleming were part of CSK’s squad in 2008, the tournament’s inaugural year.
Fleming became coach the following year and spent 18 seasons in the role, delivering five titles and reaching nine finals. He stepped away from the franchise only weeks before accepting the England job. He had a nice balance between being very organised and strategic but not forgetting the fun element of why we play the game and keeping things relaxed.
I think he’s always got that balance right.” Hussey gives short shrift to the fact Fleming has not had any red-ball coaching experience, something that has been flagged as a gap on his CV regarding the England Test job. It’s all about relationships and understanding the different personalities and trying to get the best out of them. Also, he played over 100 Test matches himself so he understands the fundamentals of the game.” What are the traits that Fleming has that might have impressed the England and Wales Cricket Board’s interview panel?
He’s a balanced person, he respects the traditions of the game but is also trying to push the boundaries. That’s why I think he’s a nice fit for the England role.” Fleming always seems so phlegmatic but Hussey must have seen him when the ticker is going and the blood is pumping? Nothing at all seemed to faze him.
He just seemed so totally in control all the time … but then I joined the coaching staff at CSK and I saw a completely different side to him – how passionate he is, how angry he gets when things don’t go right and how he rides the wave a lot more. He really is excellent to work with.” Hussey is mock offended by my next question. I take that as a real dagger to the heart!” he replies.
I have just explained that I can absolutely picture him on England’s balcony when the first ball of the Ashes is delivered next summer but that, conversely, I could never envisage Justin Langer donning an England tracksuit at all. I remind him he’s already dipped a toe, having worked with England in 2022 as a “consultant coach” during their successful T20 World Cup campaign in Australia. Would Hussey consider joining his old CSK compadre as part of England’s Test setup with the Ashes approaching next summer?
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