SUTHERLAND'S Steve Smith is one step closer to being the heir apparent to Australian Test skipper Michael Clarke.
Smith is the vice-captain of the Australia Test squads for the upcoming tours of the West Indies and the Ashes series in England.
Clarke remains captain even though he has retired from the one-day arena.
Cricket Australia named the squads on Tuesday.
Australia tour the West Indies from May 30 to June 13, and England for the Ashes battle, from June 25 to September 13.
Smith and fellow Sutherland all-rounder Shane Watson are selected. So too, St George fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
Hazlewood made his Test debut this summer against India, taking 12 wickets in three matches.
In 2014 and so far this year in Tests, Smith, 25, has made 1334 runs. Smith's career record after 26 Tests includes eight centuries, 10 fifties and 2304 runs, averaging 52.36.
For Australia in the ICC World Cup, the boy from Illawong, scored 402 runs at 67, and was his nation's top run-getter in the tournament.
The trio were named this week in Cricket Australia's 19-man contract list.
How do you think Smith, Watson and Hazlewood will go in Test squads?
