Steve Smith raises his bat after a fine 162 not out in the first Test against India. Source: Getty Images

It had been tipped that Brad Haddin, the 37-year-old wicketkeeper, would step into the void left by the injured Michael Clarke for the second Test against India starting Wednesday in Brisbane, and then for the rest of the series.

Smith was initially expected to be announced as vice captain as he continued to be groomed for the role.

But Cricket Australia opted instead to throw Smith in the deep end immediately, at just 25 years old.

In a weird statement, CA announced Smith would be “vice captain” but would lead the team in Clarke’s absence.

“Cricket Australia has announced that Steven Smith has been appointed vice-captain of the Australian Test team effective immediately and will captain the Australian side in the absence of Michael Clarke,” the statement read.

Steve Smith has been named the 45th Test captain of Australia at just 25 years of age.

“Clarke is expected to miss the remainder of the Commonwealth Bank Test Series against India due to an injured right hamstring.

“Current vice-captain Brad Haddin, who led the Australian side on the final day of the Adelaide Test, will serve as Smith’s deputy in Brisbane.

“The appointment was recommended by CA’s National Selection Panel and was endorsed by CA’s Board of Directors last night.

“When Clarke returns to the side he will do so as captain with Smith serving as deputy.”

Addressing the media this afternoon, Smith said: “I’m ready. I’ve had leadership experience in captaining older guys. Brad Haddin will be right behind me.

“I spoke with Michael Clarke this morning. He’s very proud of me and he’s very excited for me to lead Australia.

“It’s an amazing thrill. It’s been a whirlwind 18 months for me.”

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Steve Smith salutes Phillip Hughes as he brings up his century in the first Test in Adelaide. Source: Getty Images

National Selector Rod Marsh added: “These are difficult circumstances given Michael’s injury and the fact that we don’t know how long he will be out of the game.

“What we do know is that it won’t be an overnight fix so after a lot of thought we have taken the opportunity to appoint an emerging young leader as captain until such time as Michael regains fitness and returns to the side.

“We congratulate Steve on the wonderful honour of leading his country.

“On Wednesday he will become Australia’s 45th Test captain and at the age of 25 will become one of our youngest leaders. He is an exceptional young man who is highly regarded by the National Selection Panel not only for his fine performances with the bat but also his maturity and clear leadership potential.

Former Australian skipper Kim Hughes has backed Steve Smith to lead the team in the Test arena.

“Brad Haddin has done an exceptional job as vice-captain since assuming the role last year and will provide strong support to Steve just as he has done for Michael.

“There was a strong argument for Brad to assume the captaincy until Michael returns, but given we don’t know how long that will be, we felt the time was right to take a longer-term view and give a young player this chance.”

He will be Australia’s youngest Test captain in 35 years and our third youngest in history, behind Ian Craig (22 years and 194 days) and Kim Hughes (25 years and 57 days).

Smith has played just 23 Tests but impressed many with his temperament.

Brad Haddin (left) was initially tipped to be announced as captain today. Source: Getty Images

Clarke’s career hangs in the balance, with the 33-year-old saying he may never play again.

If that was the case, Australia would be more inclined to blood their next full-time Test skipper — widely tipped to be Smith. But they were instead expected to go with Haddin as the short-term option for the next three Tests before reassessing the state of play.

Haddin, at age 37 and with a wider range of experience to call on, was floated as the frontrunner for the post by a number of media outlets.

The wicketkeeper is Australia’s vice-captain and led the side admirably during the thrilling final session of the first Test at Adelaide Oval.

Coach Darren Lehmann was aloof on Sunday when quizzed about who will lead the side in place of hamstrung Clarke.

“We have to talk about that,” Lehmann said.

“We will have to work that out as a selection panel and then go to the board and see what they say.”

Lehmann’s words are in sharp contrast to those of team performance chief Pat Howard.

“I will be applying to the board for Brad Haddin to be the captain of Australia. Nice and simple,” Howard said last month, when Clarke was set to miss the first Test.

— with AAP