Steven Smith to lead Australia in Test series against India

Melbourne, Dec 15: Steven Smith, 25, was named Australia's new vice captain Monday but will lead the side for the rest of the four-match Test series against India after a hamstring injury ruled out regular skipper Michael Clarke for an uncertain period. Smith, the boy-faced batsman, whose talent and temperament saw him earmarked as a future leader almost from the time he cemented a place in the national team, will have wicketkeeper Brad Haddin as his deputy in the remaining three Tests, Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement. Smith's appointment was recommended by the National Selection Panel Sunday night in the wake of Clarke's potentially long-term hamstring injury and was formally ratified by the Cricket Australia (CA). Smith, aged 25 years and 195 days, will Wednesday become Australia's youngest Test captain since Kim Hughes took over the leadership in March 1979 at 25 years and 57 days, and the third-youngest in Australian cricket history behind Ian Craig who was just 22 when he took over the job in 1958. Smith has led New South Wales in two games of the Sheffield Shield.