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SYDNEY, Thursday (Reuters) - Australian cricket officials have started grooming Ricky Ponting to take over as national captain when Steve Waugh eventually retires.

Australian cricket officials have made no secret of the fact they saw the inexperienced Ponting as a future leader but said they wanted to see how he performed at a high level, something they affirmed on Wednesday when he was named as the new state captain of Tasmania after Jamie Cox agreed to stand down.

"Ricky has been touted in the past for possible future higher duties and we believe now is the time for him to lead Tasmania," Tasmanian and Australian Cricket Board chairman Denis Rogers said.

"As Tasmanian captain, he will gain the necessary experience and have the chance to show his leadership qualities should that opportunity arise."

Although the current vice-captain Adam Gilchrist is the obvious choice to replace Waugh when he retires, possibly after the 2003 World Cup, Ponting is seen as a popular long-term prospect.

The 27-year-old has been playing first-class cricket for a decade and is an established member of the Australian test and limited-overs teams.

He has little captaincy experience although he made a big impression when he twice captained the Australians on their recent Ashes tour of Britain, against Somerset and Ireland.

"I haven't really had a chance so far," Ponting said. "I am looking forward to the responsibility and the challenge."

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