A surprised Ricky Ponting promised an aggressive, open style of leadership after he was appointed Australia's new one-day international captain today.

The 27-year-old received a phone call at dawn in the Australian team hotel in Potchefstroom, near Johannesburg, to tell him he would take over from Steve Waugh, who was dumped six days ago.

Adam Gilchrist will retain the vice-captaincy role while Shane Warne appears to have no hope of ever leading his country again after he was overlooked.

Warne, Gilchrist and Ponting were the contenders in an intriguing race but the national selection panel recommended the Tasmanian captain, who will almost certainly lead Australia's World Cup defence in Africa in 12 months.

"When I got the call I was absolutely over the moon and honoured to be passed down this job as Australian captain," Ponting said.

"It was a fairly restless night. Each of the candidates knew we were going to get a call at sometime this morning and, of the three, I thought I was the least likely.

"Gilly has been around and has been vice-captain for a number of years and done a fantastic job and I thought he would slip into the captain's job.

"Luckily, it's me."

Ponting will take over on March 22 when Australia plays the first of seven one-day internationals against South Africa before heading to Zimbabwe for three matches.

The talented batsman has served a long apprenticeship, which hasn't been without its problems, including a drunken incident in a Kings Cross nightspot after a day-night international match four seasons ago.

But Ponting insisted he had since grown as a person and a cricketer and would have the respect of his teammates after 131 one-day matches and 53 Tests.

He has always been a fierce competitor and he promised to maintain that attitude when he became Australia's 16th captain.

"I would like to continue playing aggressive, attacking cricket and be very open with my teammates," Ponting said.

"With the bowlers, I'll be more likely to give them the fielding positions they want rather than being too strong-minded.

"That's the relationship I would like to have.

"As this tour goes on we'll sit down and hopefully have a chat with Stephen (Waugh) and Buck (coach John Buchanan) and the other senior players to find out where we're heading."

Ponting wasn't in favour of any major changes after Australia failed to make the finals of its home triangular series against South Africa and New Zealand earlier this month.

He was Australia's leading run-scorer in the series, leading to his naming as the country's one-day international cricketer of the year.

"(We have to improve) the standard of our play. There is nothing wrong in our side and as a captain you're judged by how many wins you get out of the side you've got on the park," Ponting said.

"I think we should be winning a lot more games than we lose.

"I think pretty well about the game and understand it pretty well. The last couple of years I think I've matured a lot as a cricketer and as a person so everyone around recognises and notices that."

Gilchrist headed to Ponting's hotel room to congratulate his new captain while Warne's leadership hopes were all but gone.

The leg-spinner has captained Australia 11 times but off-field incidents have clouded his captaincy ambitions.

But the ACB's 14 directors weren't asked to rule on Warne this time when selectors decided to recommend Ponting.

© 2002 AAP