David Warner's transformation from the bad boy of Australian cricket to an official leader is complete after the opener was endorsed by Cricket Australia on Friday as the new vice-captain of the national team.

As expected, CA's nine-person board ratified the recommendation of Steve Smith to be Michael Clarke's long-term successor but it was the appointment of Warner which will be the talking point.

Leadership material: David Warner will be vice-captain to Steve Smith. Credit:Getty Images

Exiled to Africa on Australia's last Ashes campaign in England, Warner will finish this tour as Smith's deputy, the pair having been entrusted with the challenge of leading Australia out of the doldrums.

The pair's first assignment will be the limited overs matches against Ireland and England following the Ashes series. Such an appointment seemed far fetched weeks ago but the spectacular nature of Australia's Ashes failure has dramatically altered the landscape.