The Sydney Sixers are on the hunt for a new boss after Australian cricket great Rachael Haynes stepped down as general manager ahead of the Big Bash League summer for family reasons.

Haynes’ wife and fellow former Australian international Leah Poulton was last month announced as the England women’s team’s new managing director.

Poulton, 42, had spent the past six years as Cricket NSW’s head of elite female cricket overseeing performance operations at the Sixers and Thunder as well as the state and pathway competitions.

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Haynes, 39, will now leave her own role at Cricket NSW’s Sixers franchise to head to England with Poulton and their young son Hugo.

“Leading the Sydney Sixers has been one of the great privileges of my career,” Haynes said in a statement.

“This club means so much to me, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built together, on and off the field.

“Stepping away wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s the right one for my family as we head into an exciting new chapter overseas.

“I want to thank every player, coach, staff member, and fan who has been part of this journey with me.

“The Sixers will always hold a special place, and I wish the club and our teams every success for the season ahead.”

Haynes, who retired as a player in 2022, will exit her Sixers role later this month ahead of their WBBL opener on October 30.

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Hayden McIntosh (commercial) and Greg Mail (cricket) will step up to split Haynes’ role through the women’s and men’s Big Bash seasons.

McIntosh paid tribute to Haynes as “an incredible leader and a wonderful colleague and mentor”.

A permanent replacement will only be sought early next year “with the club committed to finding the best candidate for the role in time”.

“On behalf of Cricket NSW, I want to sincerely thank Rachael for her outstanding contribution to the Sydney Sixers and to our organisation as a whole,” Cricket NSW CEO Lee Gorman said.

“Her leadership has helped shape the club into one of the most successful and respected in the competition, and her impact will be felt for years to come.”

Poulton’s appointment was seen as a coup by the England and Wales Cricket Board as they hunt down Australia.

And Haynes, too, would appear certain to be in the mix for a role in the England system for the same reasons though she has not yet publicly announced her next professional move.

England have made massive changes since a whitewash defeat in the 2024-25 Ashes, which led to serious criticism of their fitness levels and professionalism — as well as the sacking of coach Jon Lewis and captain Heather Knight.

Led by Lewis’s replacement Charlotte Edwards, England lost the T20 World Cup final on home soil earlier this year as Australia took out their seventh title.

Poulton, a former Australia A and under-19s coach, is working closely with Edwards and current captain Nat Sciver-Brunt to “set a clear, unified vision for England to consistently succeed on the world stage”.

“I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be joining England, and to have the opportunity to help shape our programmes and, most importantly, invest in our people,” Poulton said in an ECB statement in September.

“I’m looking forward to working with Charlotte, Nat and the wider team, building on the strong foundations already in place and taking the programme forward.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the incredible contribution Clare Connor has made to England and to cricket around the world. She has played such an important role in advancing the game, and I’m grateful to be taking on a role she has shaped so significantly.

“I know how vital strong pathways and a healthy domestic game are to sustained success, so I’m looking forward to connecting with people across the game and helping give the next generation of English players every opportunity to thrive. It’s a huge privilege to be part of England Women, and I can’t wait to get started.”