Statement by Chairman of Cricket Australia, Mr Bob Merriman AM

Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Board of Cricket Australia, which convened late yesterday for its scheduled November meeting, we publicly put on record our formal congratulations of Stephen Waugh, the most successful Test Captain in Test cricket, for his extraordinary contribution to Australian and world cricket.

As so many have already noted, Stephen leaves cricket in better shape than it was when he started his international career 18 seasons ago.

We offer him our sincere thanks for his contributions, and offer our best wishes to him and his family for the future.

The Board has asked Cricket Australia management to plan an appropriate official farewell, and looks forward to a summer celebrating his remarkable career.

We are confident that the Australian public will want to farewell him appropriately over the next six weeks as he leads the Australian team in the 3 Test series against India.

I am also pleased to advise that the Board of Directors of Cricket Australia has authorised me to confirm that, subject to form and fitness, it accepts the National Selection Panel's unanimous recommendation that Ricky Ponting will be appointed as Steve Waugh's successor as Captain of the Australian Test team once Steve steps down in January.

I am also pleased to advise that Adam Gilchrist will at that time replace Ricky as Australian Test Vice Captain, a role Adam has already filled with distinction on previous occasions.

We discussed whether we should wait until the end of summer to discuss this issue.

But given the strong public interest, and the strong and understandable public assumption on this matter, we decided it was better to address this issue now so that Steve, Ricky, Adam and the players can put the question aside and get on with winning the imminent series under Stephen Waugh's leadership.

The Test Captaincy is one of Australia's significant leadership roles.

Ricky has proven to be an outstanding international captain and leader of men.

Ricky's record leading up to and through this year's ICC World Cup, in the West Indies and in recent weeks in India speaks for itself.

He has also been a fine Test Vice Captain and a strong performer as a member of the Test leadership group.

I thank him for interrupting his travel from Sydney to Hobart today to be with us at such short notice and, in handing over to him to make his comment this morning, and on behalf of the Board, I congratulate him and Adam.