Worcestershire CCC has announced a change of management structure with Paul Pridgeon stepping down from his current role.

The Pears are on the hunt for their first ‘standalone director of cricket’.

Since late 2017 parts of this role have been covered by the chair of the county’s cricket steering group, initially led by Tim Curtis and then Pridgeon.

However, Pridgeon has now announced his desire to step down from the position come the end of the current season.

During his time in charge the club has won the Vitality Blast in 2018, were runners-up the following year, and have made improvements in red ball performances and development of talent at the club.

Worcestershire will “fully recognise” his contribution at the end of the season before he takes up a new role, serving on the club’s board as vice chair.

Applications for the club’s first standalone director of cricket opened earlier this week.

Worcestershire County Cricket Club chair Fanos Hira said: “Worcestershire is a Club with a proud history and a very bright future.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for someone with experience and the right qualities to help drive our Club forwards.

“We are looking to develop further a vibrant, thriving, successful club that achieves success on and off the pitch.

“We will explore every avenue in searching for the perfect fit for the role, and we invite applications from all backgrounds.”

The role’s main purpose is to said to be “to develop and implement a strategy to achieve sustainable success in all formats”.

The director will be responsible for all coaching staff, cricket operations, science and medicine, and the academy.