Michael Clarke: Shane Watson will bat at 3 in ODIs

Despite Steve Smith’s impressive performances in the recently concluded One-day International series against Pakistan, Australian captain Michael Clarke has said that all-rounder Shane Watson will continue to be the preferred option at No. 3 in the 50-over format.

“In regards to one-day cricket, if Watto is fit, he will come in and bat No.3. 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 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 the middle order,” Clarke was quoted as saying to the Cricket Australia website.

The 33-year-old went on to add that the ability to bat any where in the batting order was one of Smith’s biggest strengths.

“One of Smithy’s greatest strengths is he can bat anywhere in the order. That’s a really good option to have around our one-day group going into a World Cup.

"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 number 3 and I think he deserves the right to come back in and bat at that position if he’s fit," he went on to add.

Smith was the leading run scorer in the ODI series vs Pakistan, scoring 190 runs in 3 matches at an average of 63.33.