Marsh is first to bite bullet with Australia in disarray

Marsh is the first casualty of Australia’s woeful run of recent form, which has seen them lose five successive Tests and five consecutive one-day internationals.

An humiliating innings defeat to South Africa in the second Test in Hobart this week led to widespread calls for change within the Australia set-up, with former wicketkeeper Marsh, 69, electing to jump of his own volition.

Among those who could come into contention to replace Marsh long-term are former Yorkshire first XI coach Jason Gillespie, who has no known commitments at this stage beyond his role coaching Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.

Explaining his departure, Marsh said: “This is my own decision and no one within Cricket Australia has pressured me or even suggested that I should do this.

“Clearly, though, it is time for some fresh thinking, just as it is for our Test team to welcome some new faces as we build for the future.

“I have always had the best interests of Australian cricket foremost in my heart, and that’s why I have made this decision.

“I wish the captain, coach and the team all the best going forward. We will be great again.’’

Cricket Australia announced it would hold an extraordinary meeting last night to appoint an interim replacement for Marsh, who was appointed in May, 2014.

He had previously indicated that he would stand down when his contract ran out in June next year.

Marsh’s exit could signal the start of further change in Australian cricket, one year out from the next Ashes series.

Pat Howard, the Cricket Australia general manager of high performance, is also under pressure, while an on-field shake-up also seems likely.

Captain Steven Smith suggested in the wake of the defeat in Tasmania that it was time to look to youth, a call echoed by Marsh in his leaving statement.