Clarke was announced Wednesday as the captain of Australia’s Test and one-day teams, succeeding Ponting who stepped down from the role a day earlier while indicating he would continue as a batsman.

The 29-year-old Clarke said he did not expect Ponting’s presence to be any impediment to the establishment of his authority as Australia’s 43rd Test captain. He expected to rely on the advice of senior players, including Ponting, as he settled into his new role.

Clarke will lead Australia for the first time in three One-Day Internationals in Bangladesh early next month.

Allrounder Shane Watson will also take over the duties of vice-captain for the first time on that tour, while Ponting has been named as a batsman.

“I certainly don’t think Ricky is any elephant in any room,” Clarke said. “He’s been an amazing player for a long time and I think Bangladesh is going to be a great test for that to see how it all unfolds.

“I know he will allow me to do my job to the best of my ability,” he added. “I’m confident if he can continue to play as well as he has done for such a long time, I’m certain it can work.” Clarke inherits from Ponting a team which has slipped to No. 5 in the world test rankings and lost at the quarterfinals of the one-day World Cup. He told a news conference in Sydney on Wednesday that with Watson as his deputy he was confident of restoring Australia’s form and reputation.

“Our goals, Shane Watson, myself, Ricky Ponting, the Australian cricket team, are all exactly the same,” Clarke said. “We want to become the best team we can be.

“We want to become the number one ranked team in all forms and that’s going to take a long time.” Clarke said a priority would be to reinforce the basics in his young side.

“The key for me is we go back to old-fashioned basics and get better at the three major basics of cricket - batting, bowling, fielding,” he said. “I think it’s a great start to improve those basics. ... I’m not going to reinvent the wheel.” Clarke may first have to establish his bona fides as Australia captain. While he has been groomed for several years as Ponting’s successor, Australian cricket fans have not generally welcomed the prospect of his succession.

Online polls conducted by newspapers immediately after Ponting’s resignation showed more than 70 percent of respondents did not support Clarke’s appointment. He has forged an impressive career, beginning with an innings of 151 on debut, but many Australian fans have never warmed to him.

His lavish lifestyle, his tattoos, his fast cars and glamorous girlfriends have left many believing Clarke lacks the gravitas to lead Australia. The batsman, who turns 30 in three days, said he has matured.

“I’m getting a lot more gray hairs,” Clarke said.

“I don’t think I’ve changed too much to be honest,” he said of his evolving persona. “Maybe my address has changed and I have a few more tattoos than as a kid, but I think the person inside is still exactly the same.” Clarke hopes that from Bangladesh onwards, he can re-establish a winning team culture.

“We know how important it is to have success in every game we play,” he said. “We go to Bangladesh and our goal is no different against Bangladesh as it is against England in the Ashes. We’ve got the potential, we’ve got the talent, it’s just about getting the best out of ourselves every day.”