Marsh to quit after Ashes

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 here Saturday 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.

"It's time my wife and I went back to Australia to spend time with our new grandchildren," Marsh explained. "I have no idea what I will do but suspect I will continue to work in cricket but certainly not on a full-time basis."

Hugh Morris, ECB performance director and acting chief executive, said: "Rod has been fantastic for ECB, and cricket in England and Wales has benefitted from him enormously.

"I thank him for his considerable efforts in setting up the National Academy system and for ensuring a successful beginning to the new National Academy centre at Loughborough."

Despite their improving form, next year's series at home to Australia is set to be the acid test of England's progress. They have not won an Ashes series since Mike Gatting's team triumphed in Australia back in 1986-87.