Australia appoint Marsh, Hazelwood Test vice-captains

Australian cricket board has appointed all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and fast bowler Josh Hazelwood as the vice-captains of the national team ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan.

It is for the first time that the team will have two players serving as the vice-captains of the national side. Moreover, the duo was selected through an unprecedented voting by team members with the final decision made by the selection panel.

Reflecting on the appointments, selection chief Trevor Hohns made it clear that the sole purpose behind choosing two vice-captains was to drive the team towards achieving their goal and objectives.

He further stated that Marsh and Hazelwood are ready to assist newly-appointed Coach Justin Langer and newly-selected skipper Tim Paine in their journey ahead.

"It was not a process designed to find the next Australian Test Captain, but to find two vice-captains who will support and help drive the team's goals and objectives," Cricket.com.au quoted Hohns, as saying.

"Justin Langer and Tim Paine have a clear vision for the Test team, and Josh and Mitch are invested and ready to support the coach and captain on this journey," he added.

"Our vision is to create great cricketers and great people, and we are extremely fortunate to have such terrific young men charged with the responsibility of upholding the high standards and values we and Australian cricket fans expect of their Test team," he continued.

Expressing happiness over being chosen as the vice-captain, Marsh said that he is proud of the development and he further expressed hope of doing justice to the role assigned.

"I'm very proud. We've been through this process over the last couple of months as a team and to have my teammates vote me in and myself into this position, I'm very proud," Marsh said.

"Hopefully I'll do the job justice," he added.

Pakistan series will be Australia's first Test outing after the infamous ball-tampering scandal during their third Test against South Africa at New Lands. The team, who have got a fresh look with new coach Justin Langer and new captain Tim Paine at the helm of the squad, will look to leave the past scars behind and put an impressive show in the upcoming Test series.

Australia are slated to play their first Test against Pakistan at Dubai starting from October 7 followed by the second match at Abu Dhabi beginning October 16.