Melbourne: Hard-hitting batsman Aaron Finch has been appointed as the captain of Australia’s T20 team after George Bailey stepped down to concentrate on longer format of the game, Cricket Australia said on Monday.

Finch said he was honoured and excited to take on such a big responsibility. “Having the honour to captain your country in any form of the game is something that all young cricketers dream about. It came as a big surprise but it was a very nice phone call to receive from Rod Marsh,” said Finch.

“I never imagined when captaining in the past that it would lead to national responsibilities. I've just set out to be the best player that I can and luckily an opportunity like this has come my way.

Meanwhile, injured captain Michael Clarke has been named in Australia’s Test and one-day squads for next month’s series against Pakistan but remains a doubt to be fit for the start of the tour in the United Arab Emirates.

Clarke flew home from Zimbabwe last week after aggravating his left hamstring during the ODIs in Zimbabwe and has not been cleared to play in the two-Test series and three ODIs.

“No. Not confident,” Marsh said on Monday when asked of Clarke’s chances to be fit for the first Test.

“You can’t be confident about Michael but I’ll tell you what, he hasn’t missed one in however many he’s played, over 100.

All-rounder Shane Watson has been named in all three Tests, one-day and T20 squads, after missing the one-day tournament against Zimbabwe and South Africa, having rolled an ankle when he stepped on a ball at training.

Top-order batsman David Warner, who was rested from the Zimbabwe tour, has also been recalled in all three squads.

Selectors have included left-arm orthodox spinner Steve O’Keefe and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh in the Test squad.

Bailey has also been named in the squad with top-order batsman Phil Hughes.

Selectors have also named uncapped fast bowler Sean Abbott in both the one-day and T20 squads

The Squads

Tests: Michael Clarke (captain), Alex Doolan, Phil Hughes, Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Johnson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson

ODIs: Michael Clarke (captain), Sean Abbott, George Bailey, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson

T20s: Aaron Finch (captain), Sean Abbott, Cameron Boyce, Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson