Sussex chief executive Dave Gilbert is leaving the county to return to his native Australia.

Gilbert, who has been at Hove for four years, was today due to be unveiled as the new chief executive of New South Wales.

Sussex were making no comment about the speculation surrounding Gilbert's future today.

But I understand he flew to Sydney at the end of last week and was being introduced to the players, who include Sussex's overseas star Michael Bevan, before being unveiled as the successor to the retiring Brian Hughes.

Speculation surrounding Gilbert's future first surfaced at the weekend when he was linked with the job of director of Australia's Cricket Academy which has been vacated by Rod Marsh so he can take up a similar position in England.

Gilbert, who won eight Test caps for his country, played for New South Wales and Tasmania before coming to England to coach Surrey.

The 40-year-old left the Oval in 1998 to become Sussex's general manager before replacing Tony Pigott as chief executive two years ago.

Sussex chairman Don Trangmar was giving little away when quizzed about Gilbert's future yesterday, although he did confirm that he would not be replacing Marsh.

He said: "I heard that rumour yesterday and I can categorically deny it," said Trangmar.

"As for the New South Wales job I have nothing factual to report. And in any case I wouldn't discuss someone else's livelihood."

Meanwhile Sussex coach Peter Moores has today been offered a new two-year contract.

Moores, who succeeded Desmond Haynes in 1998 after ending his 13-year playing career with the county, is expected to put pen to paper this week.

The 39-year-old is delighted his future has been sorted out and today pledged to build on the foundations he has laid to improve the playing structure at Hove.

He said: "When I first took over as coach I laid out a five-year plan and quite a few of those objectives have been met.

"I wanted two players from our Academy to break into the first team and Matt Prior and Michael Yardy have done that.

"We will have won two trophies if we win the second division this season, we've had a player in the England team in Chris Adams and James Kirtley and Jason Lewry have gone on A tours.

"Of course there is still a lot of work to do but it's nice to have some security so we can get on with the job.

"The new Academy will be set up in the winter which will strengthen the structure below first team level. A lot of hard work has already been put in, but we're trying to build things all the time and get the right structures and support systems for the players in place.

"I want to build something for the long-term, I don't want it to be a one-hit wonder."

Moores' work was recognised last winter when he coached England A on their tour to the West Indies.

And the decision to extend his contract will go down well with the Sussex players who have a lot of respect for their coach.

Moores was criticised by the club's management at the end of last season when Sussex finished bottom in the Championship and were relegated after just one season in Division One of the one-day league.

But Trangmar is pleased with the way both he and Adams have responded to the criticism. Sussex went into the current Championship match against Gloucestershire having won six of their last seven games and are on course for promotion to Division One.