Australia's new captain Steve Smith greets the media on his first day in the job. Photo: Getty Images

Steve Smith vows he will maintain Australia's attacking and aggressive style when he takes over the top job in Brisbane.

The man who will become Australia's 45th Test captain sees no reason to change the formula that delivered a 5-0 Ashes triumph, victory over South Africa and a brief reign at the top of the world rankings.

With Clarke injured, Smith was officially anointed by Cricket Australia as the country's next long-term captain on Monday when he was named skipper for the rest of the series against India.

Brad Haddin, who had been expected to be Clarke's short-term successor, will be Smith's deputy. Smith will take Haddin's job as vice-captain if Clarke returns.

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Smith is in the running to lead Australia at the World Cup if Clarke is ruled out, though CA's cricket boss Pat Howard lauded George Bailey's success as captain in the 50-over format.

It is believed he will attempt a comeback for next year's Ashes despite suggesting at the weekend that retirement was an option.

Smith, who was informed of his promotion on Sunday by Rod Marsh, told teammates on Monday morning that he had no intention of making any changes to the way the team played.

"We've come a long way and we've been playing some very good cricket and we're going to continue playing that aggressive, positive brand of cricket," Smith said. "As a captain first and foremost I'll try to lead from the front with my performance on the field. And in regards to tactics, I think we've been pretty good this year. I don't feel there's any real need for any big change there."

Nor will there be a change to Australia's pugnacious on-field demeanour, which has resulted in several stoushes in the past year.

"When we cross the line there are no friends. We're not friends with the opposition," Smith said.

Darren Lehmann said he would treat Smith no differently to Clarke, who had been in charge for more than two years when the coach joined the team in 2013.

"We have the team meetings before and then when he takes the field he takes over. That's what happens with the captain of the Australian cricket team," Lehmann said.

"We're lucky enough that he comes into the system as a leader when the last 18 months has pretty much run the same way.

"So there will be those older guys helping him out on the field but ultimately he'll make the call. He's going to get some right and some wrong. And that's OK. We all get some right and some wrong."

Smith, on debut as an international captain, has experience leading at club and state level, piloting the Sydney Sixers to the Big Bash title in 2012 and NSW to the shield trophy last summer.

He was labelled a future captain by Ricky Ponting as early as October last year, despite having cemented himself in the team only months earlier. The 25-year-old will become the third youngest Australian Test captain behind the late Ian Craig and Kim Hughes. He declared he was ready for the job.

Smith is the third youngest player in the Test squad but said he would have no issues leading players, some of whom are 10 to12 years older.

"I know coming out there the senior guys will support me 100 per cent and Brad Haddin, whom I'm very close with, as vice-captain, will be right behind me," Smith said. "I'm extremely excited about the opportunities that are arising on Wednesday."

Smith started last year out of the Test side but has since established himself as one of the team's most dependable batsmen.

Haddin had been tipped to captain Australia in Brisbane but the seriousness of Clarke's injury prompted selectors to take a longer-term view.

Howard declared the CA hierarchy had "collectively shown our hand". "We're lucky that we're getting some clarity around that," he said.

Smith said Haddin was "over the moon for me" and "proud as punch".

"I'm certainly going to look to Brad out there as Michael always does. He's a terrific team man and he's got a great cricket brain as well," Smith said. "He's certainly someone I can lean on out in the middle as well."