Cricket Australia will look to have a new chair before the end of the year following the resignation of Earl Eddings.
Eddings had been in the role just shy of three years, having been promoted from the interim position in 2018 following the ousting of David Peever in response to the cultural review into Australian cricket in the wake of the ball-tampering scandal.
Wednesday's decision, coming one day out from the CA AGM, ends Eddings' 13-year association with Cricket Australia, having been made a director in 2008.
"It has been an honour and a privilege to be able to serve the sport I love as a Cricket Australia director," Eddings said.
"In that time, and particularly during my time as chair, we have navigated some of the sport’s greatest challenges, including rebuilding the trust and reputation of Australian cricket after the Newlands incident and, more recently, the enormous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic and international cricket.
"I am particularly proud of our collective efforts to overcome the challenges of COVID-19 to stage a hugely successful Indian tour last summer and ensure the Ashes can go ahead this summer.
"It is my sincere hope that following my resignation the State and Territory associations can unite and work together in the best interests of cricket, allowing the focus to return to the sport ahead of the 2021-22 season."
Just last month the Cricket Australia board committed to supporting Eddings for re-election for a second term amid disharmony among the states.
It's understood both NSW and Queensland associations were keen on a new chair.
Thursday's AGM will now be chaired by current director Richard Freudenstein in an interim role, with the re-election of two directors - Lachlan Henderson and Greg Rowell - up for vote.
Cricket Australia confirmed they will aim to have a permanent successor to Eddings before the end of 2021.
"The Board has previously announced that a deputy chair and anointed successor to the chair would be named after the end of the 2021-22 season," a statement read.
"Following Mr Eddings’ resignation, that process will now be accelerated, with the aim of appointing a permanent chair by the end of the year after a rigorous process involving input from the State and Territory members."
It comes just as the wheels begin to turn on a summer which will include the T20 World Cup and a five-Test Ashes series.
