Peter Moores is to end his 20-year association with Sussex after landing the second most important job in English cricket.

The 42-year-old was being unveiled as the successor to Rod Marsh as the director of the England Academy at a press conference at the Oval today where Sussex are playing their Championship opener against Surrey.

Moores, the Sussex director of cricket, will leave the county at the end of the season and start his new job, which will be based at Loughborough, in October.

He said today: "Being offered the job was obviously very exciting but it is tinged with some sadness because it will mean leaving Sussex which has been my home for 20 years. It will not affect the way I go about my job this season and hopefully we can build on the success over the last few years.

"It goes without saying that Sussex will always be a special place for me because of the friends I have made and the great support I have had over the years.

"It's a terrific opportunity for me to work with quality individuals and I hope that by working together with both Academy staff and England management to play an important role in the development of the next England players."

Moores beat off competition from five other candidates to land the job. His enthusiasm and energy left a deep impression on the selection panel, which included England coach Duncan Fletcher, at his hour-long interview in London a week ago.

Fletcher said: "I am very pleased for Peter because he has an excellent record of success with Sussex and is highly respected in the game."

Sussex now have the rest of the season to line up his successor and the committee will meet on Monday to decide their next move.

Chairman David Green said: "When he applied I thought he would get the job so it hasn't come as much of a surprise, but he will be a very difficult act to follow. Without doubt he is the best coach working in England at the moment."

Candidates to replace him are likely to include current coach Mark Robinson who would be a popular choice among the players and Sussex supporters.

Moores joined Sussex in 1985 after three years on the Worcestershire staff and went on to play 230 first-class matches for the county, scoring over 7,000 runs and taking 502 catches.

He decided early in his career that he wanted to go into full-time coaching when his playing days ended and got his wish in 1998 after combining the role with captaincy the previous year.

In his second season he guided Sussex to the first of three trophies during his eight years at the head of the county's coaching operation where his job titles have included cricket manager and, since 2002, director of cricket.

The highlight undoubtedly came in 2003 when the county won the first Championship in their history.

He led an England A tour to West Indies in 2001 and was invited to apply for the job of West Indies' coach last year and was on a shortlist of two.