Hussey to help Proteas at World Cup

South Africa have secured the services of Australia's 2007 World Cup winner Mike Hussey as a consultant for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup.

Hussey will work with the Proteas during the six-week tournament as they aim to win a cricket's showpiece event for the first time.

Hussey's manager confirmed this morning to cricket.com.au that the 39-year-old will attend some training sessions and give advice on how to play in Australian conditions. 

"We've had some discussions with Mike Hussey about him joining us on a consultancy process," South Africa coach Russell Domingo said.

"He's a middle order batter of immense experience and knows conditions very well in Australia.

"He'll play a very low-key role in the background."

Hussey is one of Australia's greatest ODI batsmen, boasting an average of 48.15 from 185 matches with three centuries and 39 fifties.

He retired from international cricket more than two years ago, but has continued to play as a batsman in the Indian Premier League and KFC T20 Big Bash League.

His future in the game has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, with reports last month suggesting he was a candidate to replace Duncan Fletcher as India coach.

Hussey has denied any links to the India job, but his services would be in high demand given his impressive playing record and standing in the game.

He was employed by Cricket Australia last year as a batting consultant to work with Australia A and the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars.

Michael Hussey passing on some words of advice to Ellyse Perry

Speaking last week, Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann said he hoped former players like Hussey would not be lost to Australian cricket.

"We’d love Mike Hussey involved in Australian cricket full stop,” Lehmann told Radio 6PR.

"Whatever he decides, it’s obviously his decision with his family, but we don’t want to lose any of our greats to anyone else to be perfectly honest.

"We want them (Hussey and former Test opener Justin Langer) in the system teaching our guys because they’ve recently retired – they’ve played the game at the highest level at all formats and their knowledge is second to none.

"Those guys, they did their apprenticeships (by) playing so long for their country.

"The knowledge they have – they’ll be great coaches."

South Africa, the world's No.1 ranked Test side and No.3 ranked ODI team, are one of the favourites for the World Cup, which begins on February 14.