Rachael Haynes will step down as Sydney Sixers general manager at the end of October, Cricket Australia reported on 21 October 2026. The former Australia vice-captain is relocating to the United Kingdom with her family, and Hayden McIntosh has been appointed interim general manager for the coming Weber WBBL and KFC BBL seasons.
What Was Announced
Haynes has been in the role since early 2024. During her tenure the Sixers' women returned to the WBBL finals last season, while the men's team finished third in 2024-25 and runners-up last summer as they pushed for a fourth title.
"Leading the Sydney Sixers has been one of the great privileges of my career," Haynes said in a statement. "Stepping away wasn't an easy decision, but it's the right one for my family as we head into an exciting new chapter overseas."
McIntosh, Cricket NSW's Head of Consumer and Venue Business, will lead the club's commercial, events and consumer-facing operations. Cricket NSW chief cricket performance officer Greg Mail will support him on cricket operations and high-performance matters. Recruitment for a permanent replacement will begin in early 2027.
Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon thanked Haynes for her "outstanding contribution" and said her leadership had helped shape the club into one of the most successful and respected in the competition. He said McIntosh was "well positioned to lead the club into WBBL|12 and BBL|16".
Haynes' partner, former Australia batter Leah Poulton, left her role as Cricket NSW's head of elite female cricket last month to join the England and Wales Cricket Board as England's new managing director of women's cricket, replacing Clare Connor.
What It Means
The Sixers go into WBBL|12 and BBL|16 under interim leadership, with McIntosh on the business side and Mail on cricket matters. A permanent general manager will not be sought until early 2027, after both Big Bash seasons. Follow every call on the CricMind predictions hub.
Source: Cricket Australia report.