Former NRL boss Todd Greenberg is one of the frontrunners to become Cricket Australia's next chief executive after Nick Hockley announced this summer would be his last in charge.
Hockley told employees on Tuesday he planned to exit his role next March, ending a stint that began in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis.
Greenberg is one option to replace Hockley, given he currently heads up the Australian Cricketers' Association and has long impressed figures at Cricket Australia (CA).
CA's chief of cricket James Allsopp, Big Bash League boss Alistair Dobson, former WACA chief Christina Matthews and Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins are possible other options.
"This was a difficult decision," Hockley said in a statement.
"However following what promises to be a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well progressed, this is the right time to pursue another challenge.
"This is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain completely focused on the season ahead and supporting the board on succession and a smooth transition."
Hockley's legacy is likely to remain the way he steered Australian cricket through the COVID-19 crisis, and remaining at the helm for the dramatic years that followed.
He went from Twenty20 World Cup CEO to CA's interim leader when former CA boss Kevin Roberts paid the price for the sport's response to the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020.
Where the worldwide pandemic broke several sporting administrators, it was largely the making of Hockley.
The Englishman was able to complete home summers against both India and England, despite border closures and concerns from travelling teams.
Hockley's tenure also included a $1.5 billion TV rights deal signed in early 2023, just months after avoiding a lawsuit from the Seven Network over the standard of the BBL during COVID.
And one of the most peaceful pay deals was reached last year between him and Greenberg, avoiding the drama of 2018 and allowing for significant wage increases for female domestic players.
Hockley's challenges of his tenure largely revolved around the sport's crises, including the handling of Justin Langer's axing as men's coach.
The CA boss also had to contend with criticism from Tim Paine over the handling of his sexting scandal, and came under the most pressure following David Warner's botched appeal over his leadership ban.
But throughout his tenure, Hockley largely managed close relationships with the players and assisted in progressive and inclusive causes driven by the likes of Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja.
Hockley's desire to grow the women's game, including the push for more Tests, was also well received by players.
His flagged resignation came sooner than most suspected at CA on Tuesday, but the chartered accountant is set to remain with the organisation until his successor takes over next year.
It's believed CA will advertise externally for the role, but several within cricket already loom as favourites.
Greenberg is one of those, with four years of experience in running the NRL before becoming the players' association CEO in 2021.
Dobson, a former head of marketing for the AFL, has reinvigorated the BBL and WBBL in recent seasons.
Allsopp previously served as Cricket ACT's CEO and has roots back to coaching in the sport before entering CA's executive as head of community cricket in 2021.
Matthews recently stepped aside as Cricket WA's CEO after years of success in the west, while Cummins impressed across several states.
