Steve Smith has described being named as the next Australia Test captain as an “honour and privilege” – and hopes to send incumbent Michael Clarke out on a high in his final appearance next week.
Cricket Australia announced on yesterday that Smith will take over from Clarke when the 34-year-old retires from international cricket at the end of the current Ashes series in England, with David Warner named as vice-captain.
The announcement comes after Smith was also appointed skipper for the upcoming one-day internationals in Ireland and England, while the 26-year-old will captain the Twenty20 side in the absence of the injured Aaron Finch.
A delighted Smith, who was the world’s top-ranked Test batsman until being replaced by England’s Joe Root recently, said on Twitter:
It’s an honour and privilege to be given the opportunity to Captain the Australian Cricket Team. I’m really excited about what lies ahead.
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) August 14, 2015
We really want to send @MClarke23 out on a winning note this week. He’s had a magnificent career and is a true great of Australian cricket.
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) August 14, 2015
Clarke is set to make his final appearance for his country in the fifth and final Test at the Oval, where Australia are looking for a consolation win having already surrendered the Ashes after going 3-1 down in the series.
Smith’s appointment had been widely expected with the New South Wales player having previously deputised for Clarke in three Test matches, and national selector Rod Marsh is confident he is the right man for the job.
– Viv Richards – Clarke should not be remembered for Ashes loss
– #360stats: A history of Sri Lanka vs India
– SLvIND: Brilliant Chandimal turns the tables on India on day three
Marsh said: “We have had a clear succession plan in place for the captaincy with Steve Smith gaining valuable experience leading the Australian Test team while Michael Clarke was recovering from injury last season.
“He has big shoes to fill but everything about him suggests he is the right man for the job. At 26, he is a fine young man with extraordinary talent, excellent leadership qualities and a terrific temperament.”
