Cricket Australia has sacked head coach Mickey Arthur on the eve of the Ashes.

The former South Africa coach, whose contract was due to run until the end of the World Cup in March 2015, was informed of the decision over the weekend.

Arthur will be replaced by highly rated Queensland coach Darren Lehmann who is in England and has just completed a coaching stint with Australia A.

Arthur came in for heavy criticism for his role in standing down four players, including then vice-captain Shane Watson, during the Test tour of India in March for failing to complete performance feedback on time.