Gilchrist and Ponting confirmed as captain and vice-captain, Katich in for Stephen Waugh

The Directors of the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) have confirmed Adam Gilchrist as captain and Ricky Ponting as vice-captain for Australia's next two matches in the Carlton Series, against the West Indies in Sydney (17 January) and Zimbabwe in Melbourne (21 January).

The appointments have been made necessary because of the groin injury suffered by Stephen Waugh, which has ruled him out of both matches.

Gilchrist, who was Waugh's vice-captain, led Australia to a nine-wicket win in the Carlton Series match against the West Indies in Brisbane on Sunday. Gilchrist previously assumed the captaincy for the Third Ansett Australia Test match in Adelaide when Waugh was ruled out with an injury to his left buttock muscle.

Ponting was vice-captain for that Adelaide match and also for yesterday's game in Brisbane, having previously filled the role for six matches in last summer's Carlton & United Series against India and Pakistan.

Adam Gilchrist said: "I'm delighted to once again be given the honour of captaining my country. It's unfortunate that we will be without Stephen with his 300 games worth of experience, but I'm confident we can cope in his absence."

Ricky Ponting said: "It's great to once again be named as vice-captain. I enjoyed working with Adam when we were captain and vice-captain in the Ansett Australia Test in Adelaide and again yesterday in Brisbane. I'm sure we'll work well again now.

"But everyone in the side is always putting forward ideas which makes for a great environment."

Western Australian batsman Simon Katich has been drafted into the squad as Stephen Waugh's replacement for the two Carlton Series matches.

Katich, in Melbourne for the Western Warriors' Mercantile Mutual Cup game against the Victorian Bushrangers on Tuesday, will fly to Sydney today to link up with the Australian squad.

Katich will be issued with number 19 (No. 19) for the Carlton Series.

From now on players will only be issued with numbers when selected for the senior Australian team. Australia A player numbers will be issued from number one to 13 (No. 1 - 13) for each A team series.

Australia will not practice on Monday. Tuesday's practice time, its location and the venue for the pre-match media conference will confirmed in due course.