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Melbourne: Steven Smith will take over as captain of the Australian test team following the retirement of Michael Clarke after the fifth Ashes test against England, the country's cricket board said on Friday.
Opening batsman David Warner will be Smith's deputy in the test and one-day international formats, Cricket Australia said in a statement.
Clarke announced his decision to quit international cricket after England won the fourth test at Trent Bridge last week to regain the Ashes.
Today's decision by the Cricket Australia Board from its scheduled meeting in Melbourne, which as expected signed off on Steve Smith's elevation to the captaincy after Clarke's finale next week, signals a vote of confidence in Warner.
The 28-year-old has experienced his share of scrapes with cricket officials and match referees during a combative career to date, but has made a public vow to curb his confrontational nature and that pledge would seem to have been welcomed by the Board.
Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh, who is with the team in Northampton where they are due to begin a three-day tour match this morning (weather permitting) said the decision to promote Smith to be the 44th formally appointed captain of Australia was "straightforward".
Smith is expected to lead Australia in today's match against Northamptonshire, the start of which looks set to be delayed by persistent light rain, with Clarke in London with his family to prepare for his final Test starting at The Oval on Thursday.
It's also likely he will have Warner alongside him for the first time in this three-day tour match, as the nation's new leadership duo find their feet ahead of their first assignment of the new era – the limited-overs series against England that follows the Tests.
