Rodney Marsh is to step down as an England selector and head of the country's cricket academy after next year's Ashes series.
The former Australia wicket-keeper said in a statement in London on Saturday that he would not be renewing his current contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) when it expires on September 30, 2005.
Marsh, 57, said he and his wife wanted to return to Australia in order to spend more time with their grandchildren. The Western Australia great added that while he expected to continue to be involved in cricket, it would probably not be on a full-time basis.
He was appointed as the first head of England's cricket academy when it was set up in 2001 having previously held a similar position in Australia.
Half-of the 14-man Test squad which is currently on tour in South Africa are academy graduates including all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and fast bowler Stephen Harmison.
"I have enjoyed every moment of my time at the ECB," Marsh said. "When I took the position in October 2001 I made the statement that people had to be patient about the future of English cricket. Miracles don't happen overnight.
"The England team is now in a position whereby it can command respect from all opposition and I would expect that position to remain if not improve over the next few years," he added with Michael Vaughan's men looking to build on a run of seven straight Test wins - England's best sequence for 75 years - when they face the Proteas in next week's first Test in Port Elizabeth.
{{/usCountry}}"The England team is now in a position whereby it can command respect from all opposition and I would expect that position to remain if not improve over the next few years," he added with Michael Vaughan's men looking to build on a run of seven straight Test wins - England's best sequence for 75 years - when they face the Proteas in next week's first Test in Port Elizabeth.
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