Steve Smith: Five Lesser Known Facts About Australia's New Captain

Steve Smith pipped Brad Haddin to become Australia's Test captain for the remaining three matches against India after Michael Clarke was ruled out due to an hamstring injury. At 25, Smith becomes one of the youngest players to have captained the Australian team and said it was a dream come true for him. (Also read: Steve Smith ready to lead Australia)

Here are five lesser known facts about the Sydney-born all-rounder:

1) Steve Smith is a sports enthusiast. Australian media reports reveals when not playing cricket, he is almost watching some sport. Tennis is his favourite by far.

2) Smith idolises Federer and Ricky Ponting. "He (Federer) is a personal hero of mine," he has been quoted as saying.

3) The cricketer devoted his growing up years to training hard for a place in the national team. Growing up in Sydney, he was often seen practicing catches and swinging his bat.

4) He was first selected in the Australian team as a spinner. Mentored by Shane Warne, Smith could never establish himself as a comprehensive bowler but instead, shone as an all-rounder.

5) Is dating Danielle Willis who is studying to become a lawyer. Australian teammates revealed recently that Steve Smith was learning legal terms online when the team last toured India. The player though has no plans of a career in the courthouse. "I try and educate him and Steve tries to educate me on his art,'' Willis was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald. Willis has also supported Smith in his cricket career and the player has acknowledged it on several occasions.