Travis Head will become the youngest-ever South Australian cricket captain after taking over from Johan Botha.

The 21-year-old batsman was given the job on Tuesday following Botha’s decision to stand down after three years in the position and he becomes the youngest leader in the state’s 122-year first-class history.

A former Australia under-19 skipper, Head has also led his state at under-17 and under-19 level but is in just his fourth senior season.

Given he’s yet to post a first-class century, his selection as skipper ahead of more established teammates such as Callum Ferguson and Tom Cooper came as a surprise to some.

The left-hander’s first game in charge will be the Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia in Perth beginning on Saturday.

South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) chief executive Keith Bradshaw, who himself was 23 when he captained Tasmania for a Sheffield Shield match in 1987, said the appointment was a long-term move.

“Travis’s appointment demonstrates a long-term focus for our young Redbacks team,” Bradshaw said.

“Travis has demonstrated an ability to show resilience under pressure on the field in his short time playing for South Australia.

“Off-field, Travis is already well respected by the entire cricket community both in South Australia and around the country.

“We are excited to appoint a young, capable leader who we believe can achieve higher honours in his cricketing career.”

Botha, the South African international who was recruited in 2012, informed the SACA during the recent hiatus in Shield competition that this season would be his last at the helm.