Melbourne, May 31: Australian cricket witnessed the evolution of a new phase as Michael Clarke officially took over as the new Test vice captain, a post lying vaccant since the retirement of Adam Gilchrist earlier this year.

Clarke, long spoken of as tje likely successor to captain Ricky Ponting, assumed the post Friday on the first day of the second Test match against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

"It has made absolutely no difference to my approach," The Age Saturday quoted Clarke as saying.

Clarke has had to endure the barbs of his team mates, including Andrew Symonds, since accepting the vice captaincy but otherwise feels at ease in his new role.

"I guess there's always been a leadership group with Gilly and Ricky and the coach, but it's never been official," Clarke said. "One thing that we've done over the past couple of months is to have an official leadership group. It's about making sure I'm doing whatever I can to help Ricky out.

"I still cop plenty of stick. Whatever I say now, Symo says things like: 'You've got a stripe now, so I've got to listen to you.' I guess me getting the vice captaincy has given the boys a little bit more ammo, so I've got to handle that," he added.

In the West Indies, Clarke has been in touch with close friend Brian Lara and will meet the former captain and batting maestro in Barbados before the third Test.

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