Steve Smith is expected to become the third youngest cricketer to lead Australia’s Test side.

Cricket Australia on Monday will anoint the nation’s 45th Test captain following Michael Clarke’s serious hamstring injury, with Smith tipped to be rushed into the job at age 25.

CA’s board discussed the issue on Sunday night, with a handful of media outlets reporting it elected to go with Smith instead of vice-captain Brad Haddin in a surprise move.

Only Ian Craig (22) and Kim Hughes (25) have captained Australia’s Test side at a younger age.

It is a sign of just how much CA rates Smith’s potential.

Smith has played 23 Tests, but only cemented his spot in the batting order after earning a recall during Australia’s woeful tour of India last year.

He has impressed many with his temperament at the crease in the 18 Tests since, scoring 1490 runs at an average of 51.37.

His leadership at NSW and the Sydney Sixers has also been widely praised.

Clarke will take no further part in the four-Test series against India.

If CA bloods its next long-term skipper, instead of using vice-captain Haddin as a short-term option for the next three Tests, it would not bode well for Clarke.

Clarke’s career hangs in the balance, with the 33-year-old on Saturday revealing fears he will never play again.

Coach Darren Lehmann was aloof on Sunday when quizzed about who will lead the side in place of hamstrung Clarke.

“We have to talk about that,” Lehmann said.

“We will have to work that out as a selection panel and then go to the board and see what they say.”

AUSTRALIA’S YOUNGEST TEST CAPTAINS

*IAN CRAIG (22 years, 194 days)

*KIM HUGHES (25 years, 57 days) THE RISE AND RISE OF STEVE SMITH

TEST RECORD:

*779 runs from 13 innings at 77.90 in 2014

*327 runs from 9 innings at 40.87 v England in 2013/14

*269 runs from 5 innings at 67.25 v South Africa in 2014

*174 runs from 4 innings at 43.50 v Pakistan in 2014

*214 runs from 2 innings at N/A v India in 2014/15.