<p>Clarke, the usual vice captain, will captain Australia for the first time to start a test when he leads Australia against England in the fifth Ashes test beginning Monday in Sydney.<br /><br />England has retained the Ashes and leads the series 2-1, marking the third time that Ponting has lost an Ashes series as captain.<br /><br />Clarke, asked if he would captain an Australian test side with Ponting in it if asked by selectors, said: "No. I've always said from day one Ricky Ponting is my leader, my captain, and I'm certain he'll be back captaining ASAP."</p>
<p>Clarke, the usual vice captain, will captain Australia for the first time to start a test when he leads Australia against England in the fifth Ashes test beginning Monday in Sydney.<br /><br />England has retained the Ashes and leads the series 2-1, marking the third time that Ponting has lost an Ashes series as captain.<br /><br />Clarke, asked if he would captain an Australian test side with Ponting in it if asked by selectors, said: "No. I've always said from day one Ricky Ponting is my leader, my captain, and I'm certain he'll be back captaining ASAP."</p>