The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) today announced that Australian coach, Geoff Marsh, would resign from his position at the end of the current tour of Sri Lanka for personal reasons.

The decision, made just one month after the ACB reappointed Marsh to the position for a further two years, was prompted by a reassessment of his family commitments and personal priorities according to ACB Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, who announced the decision.

"Geoff has given an enormous amount to Australian cricket over the past 14 years, firstly as a player and more recently as a coach. This commitment has required significant personal sacrifice and Geoff has now made a decision to put his family first.

"Naturally we are disappointed to lose someone of his calibre but we fully understand the reasons why he has made this decision.

"I am sure everyone who follows Australian cricket would join me in wishing him every success," said Mr Speed.

Marsh said that his decision was a difficult one but ultimately came down to the priority he placed on his family.

"Life on the international cricket circuit is tremendously rewarding and I doubt if there is any better position than coach of the Australian team. It's a wonderful job, particularly when you achieve the success that this team has had.

"But, it can be also totally consuming. Constant travel and extended time away from your family is very demanding and difficult.

"The only reason I've been able to enjoy the past fourteen years is because of the support and sacrifice of my wife and three children. I've been privileged to be part of some great Australian teams but the time has now come to pull up stumps and get on with the next part of my life at home with my family.

"It's as simple and as complex as that," he said.

Marsh plans to return to his farm in Western Australia and spend time with his wife and children prior to assessing his future direction.

Australian Captain, Steve Waugh, paid tribute to the contribution that Geoff Marsh had made to the Australian team.

"I've been able to work with Geoff at close quarters for over a decade, firstly as a team mate and now as the coach of the side and his contribution to Australia's success has been enormous.

"The courage, commitment and thought he displayed as a player have carried over to his time with the team as coach and it's shown in the way we've performed under his tutelage.

"Success in the West Indies, Ashes victories, a win in Pakistan and victory at the World Cup - it's an imposing record and one the he should be very proud of. He will be sorely missed," said Mr Waugh.

Mr Speed said that he had spoken to Marsh about the decision and had offered to make changes to the role in order to accommodate his family commitments but that in the end a compromise could not be found.

"Geoff and I talked in detail about some possible changes that we could make to the role in order to keep him on, but ultimately we could not find a way of making this happen," said Mr Speed.

Marsh will leave the team at the end of the current tour of Sri Lanka on October 4, 1999.

The ACB is currently arranging for an interim coach to join the team for the tour of Zimbabwe starting on October 6 and has started the search to fill the position on a permanent basis.

© 1999 Australian Cricket Board