Smith promises to pursue 'aggressive style of cricket' under his captaincy

Young Australian batsman Steve Smith has promised to pursue an aggressive style of cricket after he took the team's captaincy reins in his hands for their Test against India at the Gabba on Wednesday.

Regular skipper Michael Clarke is reportedly expected to miss the rest of the four-match Test series due to injury and Cricket Australia (CA) on Monday handed the job to Smith following Australia's first Test victory in Adelaide at the weekend.

Smith, who has played 23 Tests, said that they have been playing some very good cricket and they are going to continue playing that aggressive, positive brand of cricket, Sport24 reported.

Smith promised that as a captain first and foremost he would try to lead from the front with his performance on the field.

Smith, who becomes the third youngest man to lead his country, smashed 162 not out in the first innings and was 52 not out in the second in Adelaide.

He vowed Australia's in-your-face attitude would not change, saying that when the team crosses the line there are no friends, claiming that they are not friends with the opposition.

CA looked to the long term and first officially appointed Smith as vice-captain to Clarke on Monday before confirming that the youngster would therefore lead the Test side in Clarke's absence.

Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who captained Australia on the final day in Adelaide, will serve as deputy in Brisbane.

National selector Rod Marsh said that these are difficult circumstances given Clarke's injury and the fact that they don't know how long he would be out of the game.

Marsh claimed that they do know that it won't be an overnight fix for Clarke so after a lot of thought they have taken the opportunity to appoint an emerging young leader as captain until such time as Clarke regains fitness and returns to the side.

Marsh said that they congratulate Smith on the wonderful honour of leading his country, adding that on Wednesday he would become Australia's 45th Test captain and at the age of 25 would become one of their youngest leaders.