McDermott wished to focus on his cricket academy, which has bases throughout Queensland and New South Wales.

Cricket Australia are expected to contact Gillespie with a view to him taking over the role at the earliest opportunity.

Gillespie is currently dividing his time between Yorkshire in England, where he has coached the side to back-to-back County Championship titles, and Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. His credentials as a bowler cannot be argued with - 259 wickets in 71 Tests for Australia speak for themselves.

His credentials make him one of the most sought after young coaches in the world and the time may now be right for him to return to Australia full-time and link up with his friend and former South Australia teammate Darren Lehmann. Lehmann was instrumental in encouraging Gillespie to move to Yorkshire as a player in 2006 and 2007, the county where he himself made a huge impression. Gillespie returned to Headingley as 1st Team coach in 2011.

A straight bowling coach role may not have appealed, but McDermott was also Lehmann’s assistant and Gillespie could view the role as a stepping stone to replace Lehmann in the top job when the time comes.

Should Gillespie turn down Australian overtures others rumoured to be in the frame are Ryan Harris, Andy Bichel, Allan Donald, Shane Bond and Damien Wright.

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On his departure McDermott said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time working for Cricket Australia, starting at what was then the Centre of Excellence many years ago, then working with the Australian men’s team.

“It’s been a thrill to have been able to help the players reach their potential, and to see them achieve such feats as the 5-0 Ashes win at home, defeating South Africa in South Africa and winning last year’s World Cup,” he added. “I’d love nothing more than to finish this stint with victory in the World T20 in India.

“Looking ahead I’ve decided that the time is right to really focus on my academy business which is continuing to grow as well as pursuing some other business opportunities I have away from the game. And if time presents, I’ll also look at some coaching consultancy work in various competitions around the world.

“I will certainly miss the Australian team, and wish the players and coaches every success in the future.”