Presenting a new Australian Test captain

If, as we are led to believe, the Test cricket captain is the second most important job in Australia after the Prime Minister, then what are we to make of today's appointment of Karen Rolton to succeed Belinda Clark as captain of the Australian women's cricket team?

Having said that, congratulations to Karen Rolton, who is a shoe-in for the women's player of the year at the AB Medal night tonight, and has been the best all-rounder in the women's game for several years now. And the line of succession for the future has been clearly defined - as expected, the deputy to 31 year-old Rolton is 26 year-old New South Wales captain Lisa Sthalekar, who yesterday led the Breakers to a narrow victory over Queensland in the WNCL final.

Full details of the Australian team in this Cricket Australia press release. Australia plays a one-off Test against India at the Adelaide Oval commencing Saturday February 18.

NB: I will be watching eagerly for John Howard's reaction to the Rolton captaincy announcment.