New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden will leave the sport in May to head the Rugby World Cup 2011 Tournament company.
Snedden took up the position of NZC CEO in August 2001 having previously been a member of the NZC Board and the Hood Committee, which oversawan overhaul of cricket's governance in 1995.
"The position of Rugby World Cup CEO will be challenging and I am looking forward to taking up the role," he said.
"The Rugby World Cup 2011 will be an exciting time for New Zealand as we host one of the world's premier sports events and I am excited about being part of this."
Snedden has had a long association with New Zealand cricket, both on and off the pitch.
As a player, Snedden was a right-arm medium pacer who played 25 tests from 1980 to 1990. He took 58 wickets at an average of 37.9 while he averaged nearly 15 with the bat.
In 93 one-day internationals he took 114 wickets at 28.4.
In a 14-year first class career he took 387 wickets at 25.6.
The NZC board will begin a process to have a new CEO in place before Mr Snedden left.
NZC board chairman Sir John Anderson praised Snedden for his five-year performance.
"He is now advancing his career in sports management, and we wish him every success in these endeavours."
RNZ 2011 Ltd chairman Jock Hobbs and Snedden are to hold a press conference at noon today.
