Cricket Australia announces Test Captain elect

Cricket Australia today announced that Ricky Ponting would be Australia's forty-second Test Captain following the "3"-sponsored Test Series against India, subject to form and fitness.

Mr Bob Merriman, Chairman of Cricket Australia, confirmed that the Board had accepted the recommendation of the National Selection Panel that Ponting will be appointed as Stephen Waugh's successor once Waugh steps down in January.

He also announced that Adam Gilchrist would be appointed Test vice-captain following the forthcoming Test series.

Mr Merriman said that the timing of the announcement was made so that all players in the team could now focus on the important series against India.

"Given the strong public interest in the issue, we thought it would be prudent to avoid any unnecessary speculation and distraction throughout the summer by making this announcement today, so that Stephen, Ricky, Adam and the players can put the question aside and get on with winning the imminent series under Stephen Waugh's leadership," said Mr Merriman.

Mr Merriman also stated that Cricket Australia was concerned that any such speculation would distract from what will be Stephen Waugh's farewell tour.

"Stephen has been Australia's most successful captain in Test cricket, and he has certainly left the game in better shape than when he started his international career 18 seasons ago," said Mr Merriman.

"We simply cannot thank him enough for his outstanding contribution over this time.

"We are confident that the Australian public will want to farewell him appropriately over the next six weeks as he leads the Australian team in the "3"-sponsored series against India.

"The Board has asked Cricket Australia management to plan an appropriate official farewell, and looks forward to a summer celebrating his remarkable career," said Mr Merriman.

Ponting said that he was delighted when he received news of the decision.

"I'm honoured to be named as the Test captain-elect," he said.

"The one-day captaincy has given me a valuable insight into the characteristics required to be a successful leader, and I'm confident I can transfer these skills across to the Test arena."

Ponting also said that he had learnt a lot playing under Waugh.

"I've learnt a lot about leadership having played under Stephen for many years now and I feel well equipped to take on what is undoubtedly one of the highest honours in Australian sport," he said.

"Stephen's record as a player speaks for itself, and he will be remembered as one of Australia's greatest captains. He's a true legend of the game.

"It's important to remember that the approaching summer is about celebrating Stephen Waugh and everything he has contributed to cricket in Australia and around the world, and I look forward to being the best vice-captain I can be throughout the next four Tests.

"I'd like to encourage cricket fans around the country to get out to the Test matches this summer and give Stephen the farewell he deserves."

Stephen Waugh also voiced his support for Ponting's appointment.

"I've always regarded Ricky as an outstanding leader," he said.

"He's been a very good captain in one-day cricket, and an impressive deputy at Test level. His promotion to Test captain seems the logical move.

"It's good that this announcement has taken place so that we can now all focus on the Test series before us," said Waugh.

Mr Merriman said that Ponting's appointment signalled the dawn of a new era in Australian cricket.

"The Test Captaincy is one of Australia's significant leadership roles," said Mr Merriman.

"Ricky has proven to be an outstanding international captain and leader of men. His record leading up to and through this year's ICC World Cup, in the West Indies and in recent weeks in India speaks for itself.

"He has also been a fine Test vice-captain and a strong performer as a member of the Test leadership group.

"We're very excited by the prospect of Ricky's appointment, and look forward to helping him and his team-mates farewell Stephen in the best possible manner, by winning the Test Series against India," said Mr Merriman.