Who to bat at No. 3?

It should not come as a surprise that Australia face a headache of finding a number 3 in One-Day cricket for the first time for nearly 30 years.

Since Ricky Ponting’s debut in 1995, the Tasmanian had batted at 3 on 331 occasions in his 365 innings. Prior to that, Dean Jones had the position locked down the spot on 130 times since debuting all the way back in 1985.

Only 13 One-Day International (ODI) matches remain for Australia to decide which batsmen will bat at the crucial number position at the World Cup that begins in February 2015. Ever since the retirement of Ponting 30 months ago, Australia has played in 54 matches.

As many as 10 batsmen have tried their hand at the number 3 position. Shane Watson has batted there on 16 occasions, followed by Peter Forrest (9), Michael Clarke (8) and Phil Hughes (7).

With Watson and Clarke both injured, Darren Lehmann has no option but to persist with Phil Hughes or Steve Smith. Despite Hughes successful tour of Zimbabwe, he was left out of the initial squad to the UAE and only got a look in due to Clarke’s injury. Assuming Clarke is fit for the World Cup, then Hughes will be first man dropped.

Steve Smith is the long term option and the likely successor to the No. 3 crown. He also has the backing of Clarke and with Mitchell Marsh snapping at Watson heels, it could mean Smith is given the first crack at 3 in the UAE.

If he excels then he is likely to be persisted for the five ODIs versus South Africa in November but only as a middle-order batsmen, given that either Clarke or Watson will fit straight back in.

Despite the injury concerns, the selectors are unlikely to drop Watson for the World Cup meaning he is the leading candidate to bat at 3, given his explosive batting style and his experience. Also, the fact that Watson is uncomfortable in the middle order and has not batted there for the last three years means Australia see him as all-rounder batting at 3.

While he has a better record as a opener, Warner and Finch are unlikely to be bumped from their positions facing the new ball.

Watson is incumbent at 3 but there are still four months before the start of the World Cup 2015 and Watson could feature in four Tests, eight ODIs and three T20′s leading up to the tournament which is likely to put a load on his fragile body even further. Even if he is rotated, it is impossible to concede to the fact that Watson will go through the World Cup campaign without a injury concern – meaning Australia will require a secondary option.

Mitchell Marsh is an ideal replacement for Watson, but he is simply too raw to fill the void at No. 3. Marsh only seems to fit the bill as an all-rounder at No. 6 or 7.

Clarke on the other hand has only filled in at 3 only when Watson has been absent. Like Watson, Clarke’s frail body will also faced stern tests leading up to the World Cup.

Out of the 13 ODIs remaining before the World Cup, five against South Africa are jammed in between the Pakistan Test series and the Tests against India at home. It will be a miracle if Watson and Clarke both feature together in majority of them.

Given both have a history of injury concerns Australia need to have an alternative plan in case of a mishap, with their most senior members during the world cup campaign.