Sutherland Cricket Club’s Steve Smith has been named vice-captain of the Australia Test squads for the tours of West Indies and the Ashes series in England.
Cricket Australia named the squads on Tuesday.
Fellow Sutherland all-rounder Shane Watson and St George fast bowler Josh Hazlewood are in the squads.
Hazlewood made his Test debut this summer against India, taking 12 wickets in three matches.
Smith, Watson and Hazlewood had strong performances in Australia’s ICC World Cup campaign and were in the Australian team which thrashed New Zealand by seven wickets and in just 33.1 overs in the final on Sunday at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Squad members are Michael Clarke (captain), Steve Smith (ice-captain), Fawad Ahmed, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris (Ashes only), Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Peter Nevill, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Adam Voges, David Warner and Shane Watson.
St George Cricket Club president Kevin Greene said Hazlewood bowled beautifully in the World Cup series.
‘‘Josh was a major contributor in the final,’’ Greene said.
‘‘His pace, accuracy and ability to swing the ball are assets to Australia.
‘‘St George and Sutherland Shire can be proud of Josh, Smith and Watson and the significant part they played in World Cup success.’’
Sutherland Cricket Club historian Tom Iceton said Smith and Watson deserved their squad selection.
‘‘Everyone at Sutherland is immensely proud of how Smith and Watson have contributed to an outstanding win by Australia in the World Cup,’’ Iceton said.
Tell us what you think about Steve Smith, Shane Watson and Josh Hazlewood in the Australian Test squads.
