Promoting Steve Smith as Australia's 45th Test captain was the right and bold decision.
So say former Australia skippers Ian Chappell, Allan Border and Kim Hughes.
If Michael Clarke's hamstring injury was minor and he was missing only one Test, Chappell believes vice-captain Brad Haddin would have been the right option.
"But seeing as it might be long term - or potentially permanent - appointing Smith was right," Chappell told AAP.
"Everything I've seen of him suggests he is as ready as he's ever going to be.
"You might learn a thing or two watching other guys do it, but there's really only one way to get better as a captain and that's to do it.
"He takes on challenges. He's a smart guy and he'll learn from his mistakes."
Border termed Smith "the whole package", saying the 25-year-old would have no issues playing the statesman on and off the pitch.
"He is getting more and more confident and I do feel with the bit of experience he has had with NSW he is ready (to captain Australia)," Border told Fox Sports.
Smith will on Wednesday become the country's youngest Test captain since Hughes, who was also 25 when he led Australia in 1979.
Hughes suggested Smith's career-best form made him an obvious candidate.
"He is established in the team ... he's played beautifully the last year and a half," Hughes told Fox Sports.
"He's captained NSW to the Sheffield Shield title (earlier this year) and batted at No.3 which I thought was an outstanding effort.
"I think it's a fantastic decision."
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