Tom Latham will become easily the youngest Canterbury cricket captain when he leads his side out against Auckland at Eden Park on Sunday.

Latham will be 20 years and 254 days when the Plunket Shield match begins on Sunday - almost a year-and a half younger than the previous record-holder.

Latham was yesterday announced as the replacement skipper while Peter Fulton was away with the Black Caps and his obvious successor, Andrew Ellis, was out injured.

He takes the record off current Canterbury Cricket chief executive Lee Germon, who ironically replaced Latham's father, Rod, as skipper.

Coach Gary Stead said Latham Jr was one of a number of options, but came out on top with an eye to the future.

"This is an opportunity to provide Tom with experience of captaincy at this level," Stead said.

"He has captained under-age sides previously and has the attributes and skills that we believe are necessary for the Canterbury captain to possess."

Latham himself, who has played just 16 first-class matches for Canterbury, was thrilled and proud.

"I am a Cantabrian through-and-through and to be offered the captaincy, even on an interim basis, is a real honour," he said.

"I will no doubt lean on the experience of players and management around me and I look forward to leading the team out on the park."

Latham's appointment, initially just for one Plunket Shield match and one domestic T20 game, also against Auckland, will be reviewed after those two matches.

YOUNG GUNS

Youngest Canterbury captains Tom Latham 20 years and 254 days Lee Germon 22 years 33 days Richard Leggat 22 years 131 days Craig Cumming 22 years 166 days

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