Gilchrist confirmed as Australia's stand-in skipper

Adam Gilchrist is to stand in as captain of Australia in place of the injured Steve Waugh.

Waugh damaged his left calf in the third Test at Trent Bridge shortly before Australia coasted to a seven-wicket victory to go 3-0 up in the series, retaining the Ashes with matches to come at Headingley and The Oval.

Gilchrist is the tour vice-captain and has led his country before, steering Australia to a five-wicket win over the West Indies in Adelaide last year. He is already the side's wicketkeeper and one of its key batsman, but after tormenting England with scores of 152, 90 and 54 in the series, he's ready for the challenge.

Gilchrist said: "I am thrilled to be given the opportunity again, although it's come in disappointing circumstances because we have lost a quality leader and player in Steve Waugh.

"The series might be won, but Steve's absence will give us a greater challenge to continue our winning ways without him, something we will be striving to achieve."

Ricky Ponting will become vice-captain, a role he has fulfilled in the past.

He said: "I'm looking forward to filling the role again, but at the same time the squad is obviously keen to see Steve Waugh back in action as soon as possible."

Ponting was vice-captain in three one-day matches in the last Australian season, against Zimbabwe and West Indies. In 1999-2000 he was vice-captain in seven matches in the one-day series against Pakistan and India when Shane Warne was injured.