Ponting is Australia's one-day cricketer of the year

"When I got the call I was absolutely over the moon and honoured to be passed down this job as Australian captain," Ponting said.

"It was a fairly restless night. Each of the candidates knew we were going to get a call at some time this morning and, of the three, I thought I was the least likely."

Ponting will take over on 22 March when Australia play the first one-day international against South Africa.

"I would like to continue playing aggressive, attacking cricket and be very open with my team-mates," he said.

"With the bowlers, I'll be more likely to give them the fielding positions they want rather than being too strong-minded. That's the relationship I would like to have."

Coach critical

Adam Gilchrist will stay as vice-captain of the team in both forms of the game, while Waugh remains captain for the three-match Test series starting in South Africa on 22 February.

Speaking on the team's arrival in the Republic, coach John Buchanan criticised decision to drop Waugh, and its timing, prior to a crucial Test series.

Buchanan was removed from the selection panel during last year's Ashes tour, and it was decided prior to the trip that Waugh would also have no say in Test selection.

"Steve's omission from the one-day side has come as a shock and a great disappointment to all of us, but that is the selectors' decision," Buchanan said.

"It's pretty plain that I felt disappointed, probably like the rest of the side and most of the population.

"But it's the decision that selectors have made and we now have to build a new side. In the end, I'm not a selector so my opinion counts for nothing."