Michael Clarke, tipped to succeed Ricky Ponting as the Test captain, was named Australia's captain for the Twenty20 match against New Zealand at the WACA on December 10.
Clarke pipped Adam Gilchrist and Mike Hussey to emerge as the skipper of the side in the game's shortest version as Cricket Australia said they have taken the decision with an eye on future.
While Ponting will skip the match, Gilchrist will be Clarke's deputy against the Kiwis.
Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch made it clear that Cricket Australia was looking into the future when it decided to appoint Clarke as the captain of the 12-member side.
"We have the taken opportunity to enhance the leadership skills of Michael Clarke to assure the long history of strong leadership of Australian cricket is continued into the future," Hilditch said.
Adam Voges, Ashley Noffke and Shaun Tait have found places in the squad, while Matthew Hayden will join Ponting in the sidelines.
"The selection of this squad represents a clear indication from the National Selection Panel that we will at all times be picking Twenty20 sides which will be specific to this form of the game," Hilditch said.
