Sydney's Tom Parker will bring his time at the famous venue to a close before the summer
SCG curator to step down ahead of Ashes summer
Long-serving SCG curator Tom Parker will leave the role three months out from the Ashes.
Parker will step down at the end of September around the conclusion of the AFL season after 20 years managing the historic Sydney venue's turf.
Allianz Stadium curator Michael Finch will also step aside as the SCG Trust restructures for one group of workers to manage the grounds.
Both groundsmen took up their roles in 1997, with Parker reputed for often preparing a spin-friendly wicket for the yearly New Year's Test.
Next year's fifth Ashes Test will be played at the SCG on January 4-8.
"There are certainly some special moments that I'll look back on in coming years," Parker said in a statement.
"But the opportunity to call the SCG home for the past two decades is what I'm most proud of."
Despite their achievements, both curators have come under fire.
In 2015, NSW's Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria had to be abandoned due to a dangerous SCG playing surface, while Test wickets in recent seasons have been deemed too placid.
This year's A-League football grand final was played on an uneven, muddy surface at Allianz Stadium.