Australia and life without Michael Clarke.

[GarlicJam]

The announcement press conference - which I have just watched - has Smith coming across very confidently, without looking overly so. Honest and forthright (will that change?). A good start at handling the limelight which he has had very little experience at.

[andy]

I think its a fantastic decision to give Smith the captaincy i really do....and i really hope he is a successful captain.

[Albondiga]

It could be Smith v Root for several years.

[Arthur Crabtree]

Seems this summer that Clarke is more popular in England than Australia. I thought he'd won people over with his progressive captaincy, his fortitude in the face of injury and his conduct after the death of Phil Hughes. But he still gets more than his fair share of stick from down under. Maybe losing the Ashes negates all the other stuff. At least the England crowds aren't booing him.