Australia hand Clarke T20 reigns

Michael Clarke's appointment as Australia's new Twenty20 captain is no surprise given he filled in for Ricky Ponting at various times during the one-day leg of their English tour

Cricket Australia has announced Michael Clarke is to replace Ricky Ponting as their Twenty20 captain, while Andrew Hilditch has also been retained as chairman of selectors.

Clarke had been widely expected to take over from Ricky Ponting in the shortest format of the game after the 34-year-old announced his retirement, with Clarke having filled in as Australia’s Twenty20 captain in Ponting’s absence for two matches immediately after this year’s Ashes.

With Cameron White as his vice-captain, his first major assignment will be next year’s ICC World Twenty20 in the West Indies.

He is looking forward to that challenge, armed with the knowledge he has gleaned from Ponting over the past five years.

"I've learnt a lot from Ricky Ponting over the last few years - and I'll continue to learn from him,” Clarke said.

“I'm really excited to lead Australia in the newest form of the game.”

"We've got a young and enthusiastic group but we must recognise we've got a lot of work to do in Twenty20 cricket - and our recent form hasn't been good," Clarke conceded.

"Naturally, we'll target the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean next year - and I feel we have plenty of talent to genuinely mount a challenge in that tournament.

"Cameron White will be an excellent deputy, and his recent form has been quite outstanding."

Ponting has also spoken out in favour of Clarke, endorsing him as successor.

"Michael has continued to grow as a player and a leader,” he said.

“We have developed a strong working relationship, and he has always led the team well in my absence. I am sure he will do a very good job with the Twenty20 team and I congratulate him and Cameron White on their appointments.”

Andrew Hilditch, who was criticised after the Ashes defeat to England this summer, is to stay on as chairman of selectors

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland added: "Michael has supported Ricky Ponting excellently in the last couple of years and has been successful when called upon to lead the Australia ODI team on occasion, most recently in England and the UAE.

"Michael will be supported in the Twenty20 vice-captaincy by Cameron White, whose leadership qualities have been to the fore in recent months and are currently on show at the Champions League Twenty20, where he is leading Victoria in that tournament."

Hilditch meanwhile has been re-engaged despite criticism after Australia lost the Ashes this summer to England.

Colleagues David Boon, Merv Hughes and Jamie Cox were also criticised by some of their fellow former Australia cricketers over some of the decisions they made in England.

But immediately after Australia lost the urn for the second time in succession on tour, Sutherland refused to blame Hilditch or the panel.

Sutherland said today: “Australia is a team in a rebuilding phase - but this country has many talented young cricketers, as illustrated by Australia's recent victory in the Champions Trophy. The national selection panel will continue to be led by Andrew Hilditch.”

The futures of Boon, Hughes and Cox will be determined at a later date.