Michael Clarke ... has been named Ricky Ponting's vice-captain for the tour of the Caribbean. - File

BRISBANE, Australia (AP):

MICHAEL CLARKE re-placed the retired Adam Gilchrist as vice-captain and veterans Stuart MacGill and Simon Katich were recalled when Australia's squad to tour the West Indies was announced yesterday.

Clarke, a top-order batsman whose occasional off-spin helped Australia clinch a contentious Test series against India in January, will be Ricky Ponting's deputy in both the Test and limited-overs squads.

Brad Haddin joined the Test squad as wicketkeeper to replace Gilchrist, who retired as the most successful gloveman in Test cricket after the India series.

Other additions to the squad were legspinner MacGill, Shane Warne's long-time understudy who has been recovering from injuries since Warne retired, and Katich, who set a run-scoring record in Australia's domestic competition last season.

Katich scored 1,506 runs at an average of 94.12 in the 2007-08 Australian season, including a man-of-the-match performance in New South Wales' grand final win over Victoria last month.

He said he is a much stronger player than he was in the last of his 23 Tests, when he was dropped after Australia's shock Ashes series loss in England in 2005.

Experience

"I do know my game a lot better now. I have experienced a lot in that time," he said. "Having been in and out of the team has taught me a lot of lessons. This time around I probably appreciate it a lot more."

Off-spinner Beau Casson, fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and all-rounder Ashley Noffke are the new additions to the 15-man Test squad.

Clarke's selection as vice-captain was a look ahead, chief selector Andrew Hilditch said.

"While we had some very strong candidates within the current team, including those of the calibre of Michael Hussey, we had no hesitation in recommending Michael Clarke for the position," Hilditch said. "We were thrilled with his performances as captain during the two Twenty20 International games this summer and believe he has outstanding leadership credentials."

MacGill's 200-plus Test wickets and experience will help offset the inclusion of untried Casson, Hilditch said, while Katich's weight of runs was enough to earn him a recall.

"Since he was omitted from the Australian side, there is nothing more we could have asked Simon to do. He has done absolutely everything asked of him and had an outstanding summer for New South Wales. We are looking forward to him playing a key role throughout the tour," Hilditch said. "The same can be said for Ashley Noffke. His performance with both bat and ball for Queensland throughout the interstate season has seen him justly rewarded."

Knee operation

David Hussey, Shaun Marsh - son of former Test opener and Australia coach Geoff Marsh - and Cameron White were added to the limited-overs squad that lost recently to India, while Nathan Bracken was selected subject to fitness, following a knee operation.

The Australian players with Indian Premier League contracts will have a window to compete in the new Twenty20 tournament before the national squad assembles in Brisbane on May 4, a week before leaving for the Caribbean.

Australia will play Tests in Jamaica (May 22-26), Antigua (May 30-June 3) and Barbados (June 12-16) followed by a Twenty20 international on June 20 and five limited-overs internationals.