TONY Judd last night resigned as Saltires assistant coach to take up a top job in his native Australia.

The 48 year-old, who has enjoyed a decade of success in his adopted country, will become head cricket coach at the Northern Institute of Sport in Darwin.

Judd, who pulled out of a move to Melbourne in 2007 for personal reasons, said: “It is a fantastic opportunity but one which I am only accepting because my whole family are able to join me in Australia.

“That was the clinching factor.

“I obviously have mixed feelings about leaving Scotland because I have many brilliant memories both with Greenock and the Saltires.”

Judd, who arrived in Scotland from Tasmania a decade ago, enjoyed unprecedented success first as coach of Greenock and then in charge of the national side.

He led the Scots to their first-ever international title when they won the ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2004.

However, his crowning achievement came a year earlier when the Saltires entered the Totesport League and beat three counties in the space of twenty days.

Judd turned down the opportunity to become full-time national coach in 2005, opting to honour his contract with Greenock.

The Scotland job went instead to Andy Moles and later Peter Drinnen before Judd was brought back into the fold as No2 and video analyst by current coach Pete Steindl in 2009.

Speculation on Judd’s future was raised when he chose not to take part in Scotland’s current tour to South Africa.

His place was taken by Carlton coach and former Northants wicketkeeper Toby Bailey who is favourite to land the role on a permanent basis.

MEANWHILE current Northants wicketkeeper David Murphy is line to make his Scotland debut today.

Murphy, one of four English-born players selected for the tour to South Africa, missed the first week due to prior commitments.

However, he arrived in Potchfestroom on Friday and is likely to take part in today’s 50-over clash with North West Dragons.

Coach Pete Steindl must decide whether Murphy or Richard Coughtrie will take the gloves with the other man likely to play as a specialist batsman.

Gloucestershire’s Coughtrie made his mark with a half-century in the drawn two-day match with the Dragons in midweek.

Sussex batsman Matt Machan scored a century in the same match and the fourth county recruit, Leicestershire all-rounder Rob Taylor, will join the squad after today’s match.

Steindl said: “We’ve had a good first week and it’s great that some of the batsmen spent time in the middle and got some runs under their belt.

“The guys have all worked really hard but some of the bowlers are definitely a bit short of action.

“The arrival of David Murphy and Rob Taylor will give us further options and both of them will be eased into the squad firstly through training.”