Michael Hussey, Sridharan Sriram to mentor Australia in ICC World T20 2016

Australian team has called upon Michael Hussey as their coaching consultant and have also enlisted former Indian One-Day-International (ODI) player Sridharan Sriram for understanding the conditions in India for ICC World Twenty20 2016. Australia is yet to win the ICC World T20 and knowing the bowling conditions in India, they know that major challenges lie ahead. The drawback that Australia is already facing is the availability issues of world ranking No. 7 bowler, Mitchell Starc, who is still recovering from his ankle injury.

Australia has not got an opportunity to play T20 matches this year as World Cup 2015 was their major focus. In the coming year, this statistics would change with Australia hosting India with three T20 matches in late January before they leave for South Africa for three more T20 matches in early March, ahead of the ICC World T20 2016. Australia’s first T20 match is against New Zealand in Dharamsala on March 18, where Hussey will join them for first two weeks in India. READ: India-Pakistan ICC World T20 2016 clash confirmed for March 19 at Dharamsala

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Cricket Australia Executive General Manager of team performance, Pat Howard said, “Mike has been one of our most successful players at transitioning between the different formats and his advice and support in this area will be of great benefit to the players who have played a large amount of Test and ODI cricket in the last 12 months. He also has significant experience playing in India through the Indian Premier League and will assist in adapting to the unique conditions we will experience.”

As per espncricinfo.com, Hussey said he was excited to be back in the team, after being retired from International cricket in 2012-13. “As a proud Australian cricketer I am delighted to be involved in Australia’s campaign for the ICC World T20 title. I’m really looking forward to work with the boys and assisting in any way possible with their preparation and match day plans.”Sriram who has been an allrounder for team India from 2000 to 2004, will mentor Australia in South Africa to prepare them for the conditions in India. Australia had announced Sriram as their consulting coach in September for their Bangladesh Tour, but that got cancelled. READ: Michael Hussey: Shaun Marsh deserves chance in 1st Test against New Zealand

When asked about Sriram, Howard said, “We will play three T20 internationals against South Africa prior to arriving in India and Sriram’s focus will be on getting the players as prepared as possible for what they will face in India. Sriram was a consultant coach with the Australia A side when they travelled to India earlier this year and was due to go to Bangladesh as a consultant prior to the tour being postponed. He has also been working with our National Performance Squad for the past few years.”