The ECB claimed a "mutual agreement" had been reached for Watmore to leave, and his departure comes hot on the heels of the organisation being heavily criticised over how it withdrew from a planned men's and women's tour of Pakistan later this year.

West Indies great Michael Holding was among those to slam ECB decision-makers for their handling of the abandoned tour, accusing them of showing "Western arrogance".

The Hundred - the controversial limited-overs franchise competition - was played in England for the first time during Watmore's tenure, while the COVID-19 pandemic was another defining theme of his short time as chair.

Watmore's departure also comes as the ECB prepares to make a final decision on whether or not the England men's team will travel to Australia for the Ashes.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) was not able to comment on whether or not Watmore would stay on as chair of its Olympic Working Group, as the sport seeks to be added to the programme for Los Angeles 2028, although Watmore has indicated that he wishes to "retire completely from work and enjoy our great game as a spectator".

"It is with regret that I step down as Chair of the ECB, but I do so in mindfulness of my own wellbeing and that of the game which I love", Watmore said in a statement.

"I was appointed to the post in a pre-pandemic era, but Covid has meant the role and its demands on time are dramatically different to all our original expectations, which has taken a personal toll on me. 

"Given this, the Board and I feel the ECB will be better served by a new Chair to take it forward post pandemic. 

"Leaving now, at the end of the season, gives the Board time to find a new Chair to support cricket through the challenges of the 2022 season and beyond."

A former Football Association chief executive, Watmore followed Colin Graves as ECB chair.

Barry O’Brien, the ECB's deputy chair, will fill Watmore's place in an interim capacity but does not wish to be a candidate for the role on a permanent basis.