Mike Hussey lands major job in next step in cricket coaching career

Aussie cricket legend Mike Hussey has landed his next big coaching role after taking over the Welsh Fire in The Hundred competition. Hussey, known as Mr Cricket in the game for his knowledge of the sport, most recently acted as a batting consultant for England during their T20 World Cup victory last November.

While Hussey has been busy in his post-playing career, coaching The Hundred franchise could be his most challenging role yet. And the 47-year-old said he is excited to be involved in the new format tournament.

BRUTAL: Khawaja granted visa as cricket world slams 'ridiculous' farce

GOOD, BAD AND UGLY: All the wash-up from Australian Cricket Awards

"I'm really looking forward to getting started at Welsh Fire and being part of The Hundred," he said. "From a distance it looks a fantastic competition to be involved in, one that's attracting big crowds and getting lots of kids interested in the game.

"For my part, hopefully I can get help get things moving in the right direction on the pitch in Cardiff and give all of those fans who've been coming to watch something to really get excited about." The 47-year-old has been appointed following the departure of Gary Kirsten in December.

Cricket Manager of Welsh Fire Mark Wallace said: "We're thrilled to be able to appoint someone of the calibre of Mike. There are few better people around the world with the relevant expertise and knowledge of white-ball cricket to help take us forward."

Hussey will be taking on a tough task at the Fire with the team finishing at the bottom of the ladder in 2022 without a win. In 2021, the team finished seventh.

Hussey played more than 300 games for Australia across all formats and cemented himself as a legend playing in a team with Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist and Glen McGrath. The middle-order batter scored 6,235 runs at an average of 51.52 across his Test career.

His One Day International legacy was astonishing having scored 5,442 runs with an average of 48.15. Since his sudden retirement in 2012, Hussey went on to lead the Sydney Thunder to a Big Bash League title in 2016.

Hussey has worked as a batting consultant for both Australia and South Africa since retiring and is set to take on his first full-time coaching role in The Hundred.

Steve Smith finds Aussie company in County Cricket

While Hussey will be joining the Fire, Steve Smith will get Australian company during his pre-Ashes stint at English county side Sussex in the shape of Sydney Thunder pace-bowling allrounder Nathan McAndrew. The 29-year-old McAndrew will play from April until July in both the County Championship and the Blast, the English game's premier T20 tournament.

The deal means he'll link up at the south-coast county with Smith, who has been signed to play three county championship matches for Sussex in May as he seeks to acclimatise for the Ashes.

with AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.