Steve Smith crowned Captain of Australia Warner his deputy

Steve Smith crowned Captain of Australia Warner his deputy: Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Friday that Steven Smith will be the next captain of the Australian Test team following Michael Clarke’s retirement at the end of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval. Opening batsman David Warner will serve as Smith’s deputy in the Test and one-day international teams.

Today’s decision by the Cricket Australia from its scheduled meeting in Melbourne, signals a vote of confidence in Warner. Smith’s appointment came as a surprise to nobody as he had already become the country’s 45th Test captain last summer, when Clarke missed three Tests against India due to hamstring surgery.

National Selector Rod Marsh said the appointments had been made with an eye to the future. Referring to Smith’s appointment as a straightforward decision 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. He is highly regarded by the selectors and we congratulate him on being appointed to the role on an ongoing basis. He should be incredibly proud.”

Smith will also be Australia’s T20I captain in the one off T20I match against England later this month due to Aaron Finch’s injury. Marsh said Warner had been chosen to support Smith in the Test and one-day international area. “David has matured and developed into an important senior figure in the Australian team. He has come a long way. He had valuable experience captaining the Sunrisers in the IPL earlier this year and we are confident he will provide strong support to Steve as his deputy. We believe that he will respond well to the added responsibility of leadership.”

In confirming the appointments, Cricket Australia Chairman Wally Edwards said the Board discussed the recommendation put forward by the selectors. “We have all seen Steve Smith’s clear leadership potential and believe he can perform an excellent job for Australian cricket over many years. We supported the recommendation to appoint David Warner as vice-captain, noting his role as a leading batsmen, his development and emergence as a leader within the team. We congratulate both men on their appointments.” he said.