Press Trust of India
Brisbane, Dec 15: Young all-rounder Steve Smith was Monday named Australia’s captain for the second cricket Test against India, replacing an injury-ravaged Michael Clarke who is unlikely to play in the remaining matches of the ongoing series.
“Cricket Australia (CA) has announced that Steven Smith has been appointed vice-captain of the Australian Test team effective immediately and will captain the Australian side in the absence of Michael Clarke,” CA said in a statement released here. The 25-year-old thus became the 45th Test captain of the side and one of the youngest ever to take up the role. “Clarke is expected to miss the remainder of the Test series against India,” the CA added.
Smith’s appointment was recommended by CA’s national selection panel and was endorsed by CA’s board of directors Sunday night. “These are difficult circumstances given Michael’s injury and the fact that we don’t know how long he will be out of the game,” national selector Rod Marsh said. “What we do know is that it won’t be an overnight fix so after a lot of thought we have taken the opportunity to appoint an emerging young leader as captain until such time as Michael regains fitness and returns to the side. We congratulate Steve on the wonderful honour of leading his country.”
Explaining the reasons behind not opting for current vice-captain Brad Haddin, Marsh said, “Brad (Haddin) has done an exceptional job as vice-captain since assuming the role last year and will provide strong support to Steve just as he has done for Michael.”
“There was a strong argument for Brad to assume the captaincy until Michael returns, but given we don’t know how long that will be, we felt the time was right to take a long-term view and give a young player this chance,” Marsh added.
