David Warner named Australia captain as Steve Smith heads home to rest ahead of hectic home schedule

New Delhi: David Warner was named as the new captain of the Australian cricket team after Steve Smith flew back home after he was rested for the remaining ODI series against Sri Lanka.

The Australian selectors decided to rest the regular skipper keeping in mind the upcoming crucial series against South Africa at home.

Warner will be the skipper for the remaining three one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches against Sri Lanka.

After his team's 82-run loss against the Lankans in second ODI, Smith told the reporters that the rest was given since there was a hectic schedule about to begin for Australia at home.

"It`s obviously going to be a big summer with South Africa and then six tests at home then limited-overs matches against New Zealand," Smith told reporters after his side lost the second one-day international against Sri Lanka by 82 runs in Colombo on Wednesday.

"It was talked about that they give me a little break at some point. We had a few discussions, myself, (coach) Darren (Lehmann) and Rod (Marsh), who also consulted with the other selectors.

"It took a bit of convincing to get me over the line because I hate missing cricket but in the long run a little bit of a break will do me the world of good."