Australia leaves for Bangladesh with new captain

Australia has left for a one-day international cricket tour of Bangladesh two days after its new captain, Michael Clarke, celebrated his 30th birthday.

Clarke replaced Ricky Ponting, who resigned from the test and one-day captaincies March 29 after Australia lost in the World Cup quarterfinals. Ponting will remain with the team as a batsman.

Australia plays a tour match on Thursday in Fatullah followed by one-day matches against Bangladesh in Dhaka on April 9, 11 and 13.

Clarke, who marked his birthday on Saturday at a dinner with family and friends, said at Sydney airport Monday "I don't think it's (the captaincy) really sunk in. When I walk onto the field in the first one-dayer ... it'll probably sink in more."