Cricket South Africa has announced Hashim Amla as South Africa's 33rd Test captain today in Johannesburg. The 31-year-old was favoured ahead of AB de Villiers for the top job and the pair will lead South Africa as captain and vice-captain for the first time in the Proteas’ two-Test series against Sri Lanka in July. Amla, captained the South Africa team at the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand in 2002, and was appointed ODI vice-captain in 2011 before leading the side in three matches. de Villiers remains the one-day international skipper, with Amla to continue to serve as his deputy.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be given this responsibility," said Amla.

"I would like to pay tribute to the leadership Graeme Smith has provided throughout my international career. This is an exciting challenge but one that I take on with positivity with our Test team being in exceptionally good space at the moment with the support of a strong core of senior players.

“I have concentrated on taking my batting to the highest possible level and now I feel I am in a position to make a contribution to South African cricket in a leadership role."

Haroon Lorgat, CSA Chief Executive, commented on Amla's appointment following the unanimous decision taken by the Board of Directors earlier today to accept the unanimous recommendation of the national selectors.

“It is a reflection of the excellence and standing of our senior players that there was more than one quality candidate to consider for this most important leadership position," said Lorgat.

"Hashim is universally respected, both in South Africa and around the cricketing world, not only for his quality as a player which has seen him ranked among the best batsmen in the world in both Test and ODI cricket, but also for his personal qualities.

“He has shown his steel in playing in the key No. 3 batting position, one which he took over from Jacques Kallis with great success.

"The manner in which he has adapted his game to suit the different forms of cricket speaks volumes for his skills to react to changing circumstances.

"He has earned particular respect as a role model for his humility and his upholding of the best traditions and spirit of the game.

"Becoming captain is a natural progression for his outstanding career and we are indeed fortunate to have a leader of his quality.

“Stability has been one of the endearing qualities he has brought to the Proteas and this is important at a time when we have had to replace several key players in Smith, Kallis and Boucher.” Cricket South Africa also announced the Test and ODI squads for the tour of Sri Lanka, with Stiaan van Zyl and Dane Piedt the new caps in the Test squad. Test squad: Hashim Amla (c), AB de Villiers (vc), Kyle Abbott, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Imran Tahir, Morne Morke, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl.

ODI squad: AB de Villiers (c), Hashim Amla (vc), Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Jacques Kallis, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn.

CSA announce @amlahash the Proteas new Test Captain. pic.twitter.com/I0p5nq8ElJ — Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) June 3, 2014