The Australian Cricket Board announced today (2 February 1999) that it had received Mark Taylor's resignation as Australian Captain. Taylor's resignation is effective immediately.

``Mark Taylor has set a new benchmark in the professional era for Australian captain's to match and exceed,'' said Denis Rogers, the Chairman of the Australian Cricket Board.

``He has been an excellent on and off-field leader for Australian Cricket, culminating in his selection earlier this year as Australian of the Year. We, at the ACB, wish Mark and his family the best of futures and look forward to an ongoing association with Mark in his career after cricket.''

Taylor has been one of Australia's most successful Test players and captains. Playing in 104 Tests, he is Australia's second highest run scorer (7525 runs, Average 43.50, 19 centuries, HS 334*) and its leading fieldsman with 157 catches. Captain in 50 Tests, second only to Allan Border (93), his record boasts 26 wins, 11 draws and only 13 losses.

In International One Day cricket, Taylor also has a strong record. He played in 113 matches, 67 as captain (36 wins, 30 losses, 1 tie), and scored 3514 runs (average 32.24, SR 59.42, with 1 century and 28x50's).

The Australian Cricket Board will select the new Australian Captain and Vice-captain at its meeting to be held on Friday, 12 February.