Michael Clarke was today confirmed as captain of Australia's Test match and one-day international teams.
The batsman, who turns 30 on Saturday, had been the anticipated choice of Cricket Australia following Ricky Ponting's resignation yesterday, and his appointment was confirmed at a press conference.
Clarke said: "What an honour it is to be named captain of Australia."
Clarke had served as vice-captain to Ponting, and in Ponting's injury-enforced absence he led Australia to a 6-1 victory over England in the one-day international series which preceded the World Cup.
His deputy will be all-rounder Shane Watson, while Cameron White will captain the Twenty20 team.
Ponting was today included in Australia's squad for next month's series of three one-day internationals in Bangladesh, but Clarke rejected the suggestion that the former skipper could be "an elephant in the dressing room".
"I don't think Ricky is an elephant in any room," Clarke said.
