Fresh off their 2022 T20 World Cup Final win over Pakistan, England batting coach Mike Hussey has shed light on the nation's training regime during the tournament.
In an interview with Fox Sports, Hussey revealed training wasn't approached as a mandatory part of England's prgram.
"99 per cent of sessions have been optional... You just have to let them know if you're coming or not beforehand and what you want to get out of it," he said.
This method of practice, although unconventional, proved effective on Sunday night at the MCG in front of over 80,000 spectators, as England successfully chased Pakistan's total of 138 in a resilient display of white ball cricket, withstanding serious pressure from a lethal fast-paced attack.
A sense of calmness was evident in the England team, who suffered a shock defeat to a heavy underdog in Ireland in game two of the tournament. They would respond to this defeat in spectacular fashion, later dominating a red-hot India side by taking out a 10-wicket semi-final victory before the Sunday Night final.
“It's certainly a very calm, consistent, level dressing room," Hussey revealed.
“It's not tense, it's not emotional. It's sort of — if we're going well, it's a little bump up. If we're not, it's a little bump down."
England's match-winner, Ben Stokes, proved emblematic of this attitude, often seen laughing at the crease during tense moments in the final match; most notably during Naseem Shah's brilliant third over where he beat the outside edge of Stokes four times.
Hussey has refused to take credit for England's success, but outlined his approach along with fellow Australian head coach of England, Matthew Mott when helping their players.
“I've just tried to help them identify what their best looks and feels like and hopefully keep them in a good frame of mind for when they go to play," he added.
“I'm not trying to fill their heads with too much. I haven't talked much technique, I've just thrown a lot of balls to them really, so I'm not one to be looking for any credit whatsoever for where they've got. I think the players deserve all the credit.”
England's focus now shifts to the upcoming One-Day International series against Australia, starting Thursday, November 17 at the Adelaide Oval.
