Queensland and Brisbane Heat high-performance general manager Joe Dawes has resigned from his position less than a year after a public stoush with Usman Khawaja.
Dawes, a former Queensland seamer who had previously been India's bowling coach and head coach of Papua New Guinea, had only been in the role since late 2023 but has resigned before the end of his third season. Pathways manager and former Queensland batter Greg Moller will serve as interim manager until the end of the season, while chief executive Terry Svenson will oversee list management until a full-time replacement is hired.
Dawes' tenure was tumultuous as he was part of the decision to let go long-time Queensland and Heat coach Wade Seccombe immediately after Heat won the BBL title for the second time in 2023-24.
Dawes then made headlines last March when he suggested Khawaja had opted not to play a Sheffield Shield game when he wasn't injured. Khawaja publicly criticised Dawes in response, saying he did have a hamstring injury, accusing Dawes of saying "a few inflammatory things" that were "100% wrong".
Dawes' resignation came after Heat missed the BBL finals and Queensland missed the One-Day Cup final, but they remain in the mix for a second straight Sheffield Shield final. Coach Johan Botha, who Dawes had been involved in appointing, remained contracted with both Heat and Queensland until the end of next season.
Dawes also oversaw the women's programme with Heat's WBBL team also having a difficult season, finishing in last place without winning a game. Queensland's women remain in the mix for the WNCL final with two rounds to go. Women's state and WBBL coach Mark Sorell is also contracted until the end of next season.