Steve Smith’s 190 runs in the three-match one-day series against Pakistan included his maiden hundred and came with the added pressure of batting at No.3.
Smith, however, might still have work to do to claim a spot in Australia’s World Cup XI on home soil in February.
Shane Watson’s return from injury would squeeze Smith out of the No.3 slot and into the middle order where contenders are coming thick and fast ahead of next month’s ODI home series against South Africa.
Skipper and No.4 batsman Michael Clarke is also poised to return after overcoming a hamstring strain.
“In regards to one-day cricket, if Watto is fit, he will come in and bat No.3,” Clarke told reporters on Tuesday.
“He’s been very successful there for us and I like him batting in that position leading up to the World Cup.
“Smithy’s grabbed his opportunity with both hands in regards to one-day cricket.
“He’s got an opportunity because we’ve got guys out injured. He’ll probably go back down to middle order.”
Clarke says his NSW teammate Smith can bat anywhere in the order.
“We can bat him in the middle order,” Clarke said.
“He runs well between the wickets and rotates the strike really well if he bats at the death.
And then he’s shown his class if he bats at No.3.
“If you get an injury, it allows you to fill either role.
“But, Shane Watson has done everything that has been asked of him over a long period of time in the one-day format batting at No.3 and I think he deserves the right to come back in and bat at that position if he’s fit.”
With Watson and Clarke to follow openers David Warner and Aaron Finch, Smith could be competing with excitement machine Glenn Maxwell and acting one-day skipper George Bailey for a middle-order role.
Bailey’s 46 runs at 15.33 in the one-day series against Pakistan which ended on Sunday in Abu Dhabi continues a lean year for the Tasmanian, scoring 279 runs at 25.36 in 12 ODI matches.
Asked if Smith would be part of Australia’s top six at the World Cup, Clarke said: “I wouldn’t have a clue. I’m not a selector, thank God.”
Dog's Breakfast
Guest
"We can bat him in the middle order" -- Clarke Disagree. The reason Smith had been omitted from the ODI side for so long was because he struggled to make runs in the middle order. He struggled also in the recent ODI series in Zimbabwe when picked to play in the middle order. If you're going to pick him, play him where you'll get the best out of him. If you have to have Watson and Smith in the side, Watson should open with Warner and Smith bat three. Finch would be unlucky, though. Good problem for the selectors to have.
Ross Fleming
Roar Rookie
White and Khawaja have been the best 2 domestic one day batsman last year and this season so they deserve a look in as well along with Marsh
ajay
Guest
hhahahaha maxwell ,warner ???? hahahha no words in odi you are comparing with s marsh with huges subcontinent team will put a off spinner against hi and he will be in dugout
jammel
Guest
I don't think Shaun Marsh is the second best ODI batsman in Australia at all. I'd say Watson, Clarke, Warner and probably Finch, Maxwell and Bailey are all better. So he might be the seventh best imo. I have Shaun Marsh competing with Hughes and Smith for a reserve batting spot really. And the likes of White.
ajay
Guest
no doubt shuan marsh is probably best odi batsman in aus after clarke and if he will be fit he will be there and finch will be there in dugout with lehmann ?/
jammel
Guest
I think Watson is clearly the likely #3. And our best #3. Smith's chance is probably instead of Bailey, perhaps, at 5 or 6. Real question in the batting order from my perspective is whether Shaun Marsh can oust either Finch or Warner for an opening berth. Likelihood probably low of this happening. what do people think? He's currently behind Hughes as well, but if he comes back and makes runs, I wouldn't be averse to S Marsh being our reserve batsman.