Smith confirmed as Test captain
Steve Smith will become the third youngest cricketer to lead Australia’s Test side.
Cricket Australia on Monday anointed the nation’s 45th Test captain following Michael Clarke’s serious hamstring injury, with Smith to serve as caretaker skipper at age 25.
Clarke remains the side’s captain, with Smith appointed vice-captain.
CA’s board discussed the issue on Sunday night, electing to elevate Smith ahead of Brad Haddin in a surprise move.
Only Ian Craig (22) and Kim Hughes (25) captained Australia’s Test side at a younger age.
If Clarke returns to the side, Smith will revert to vice-captain.
The change only applies to Australia’s Test side, with George Bailey remaining stand-in skipper of the one-day team.
Clarke’s career hangs in the balance, with the 33-year-old on Saturday revealing fears he will never play again.
CA is continuing to consult with specialists over the best way to treat Clarke’s latest tear.
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Because of the uncertainty regarding the latest setback, selectors opted to put Smith in charge for the rest of the four-Test series.
“There was a strong argument for Brad to assume the captaincy until Michael returns,” chief selector Rod Marsh said in a statement.
“But given we don’t know how long that will be, we felt the time was right to take a longer-term view and give a young player this chance.
“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.”
Smith has played 23 Tests, but only cemented his spot in the batting order during last year’s back-to-back Ashes series.
The right-hander has impressed many with his temperament at the crease in his 18 Tests since earning a recall during Australia’s woeful tour of India last year, scoring 1490 runs at an average of 51.37.
His leadership at NSW and the Sydney Sixers has also been widely praised.
“He is an exceptional young man who is highly regarded by the national selection panel, not only for his fine performances with the bat but also his maturity and clear leadership potential,” Marsh said.
“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.
“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.”
CA chairman Wally Edwards noted the board “fully endorsed the recommendation put forward by the selectors”.
Smith debuted as a leg-spinning allrounder at age 21.
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Over the past year he resurrected his international career as a dependable top-order batsman, with last week’s unbeaten 162 against India his highest Test score.
Shaun Marsh will take Clarke’s place in the side for the second Test, which starts at the Gabba on Wednesday.
But is unclear who will bat at No.4 in the absence of Clarke, with Smith now charged with the responsibility of setting the order.
“I like batting as high as possible,” Smith said after scoring an unbeaten ton on day two of the first Test.
“I’ll just keep batting and if I get a chance to move up the order, that will be great as well.”
AUSTRALIA’S YOUNGEST TEST CAPTAINS
*IAN CRAIG (22 years, 194 days)
*KIM HUGHES (25 years, 57 days)
THE RISE AND RISE OF STEVE SMITH
TEST RECORD:
*779 runs from 13 innings at 77.90 in 2014
*327 runs from 9 innings at 40.87 v England in 2013/14
*269 runs from 5 innings at 67.25 v South Africa in 2014
*174 runs from 4 innings at 43.50 v Pakistan in 2014
*214 runs from 2 innings at N/A v India in 2014/15.
