Charlesworth quits New Zealand Cricket

Ric Charlesworth has quit as New Zealand Cricket's high performance manager after two years in the job. Charlesworth, who played 47 first-class matches for his native Western Australia, has decided to pursue other opportunities outside of New Zealand.

"This has been a difficult decision because I have greatly enjoyed living in New Zealand and working with NZC," he said. "I am optimistic that NZC has the people and structure in place in high performance to challenge the world's best during the next decade."

Justin Vaughan, the chief executive of NZC said Charlesworth had been a vital member of the team's off-field staff since his arrival in August 2005. "I am certain that many of Ric's changes will be long-lasting both from a structural aspect but also, and more importantly, from a cultural perspective," Vaughan said.

"He has impressed upon the organisation that we must aspire to be truly world-class in all that we do. We cannot attempt to consistently win on the international stage without the highest standards and frameworks underpinning our premier teams."

Charlesworth has had a wide and varied career, nearly earning a Test call-up for Australia as an opening batsman, appearing in four Olympics as a hockey player, coaching the Australian women's hockey team to two Olympic gold medals, working as a doctor and serving as an MP for nearly a decade. In April he turned down overtures from the South Australia cricket team, who were looking for a coach, but said he did not know what his future held.