Shane Watson will be Australia’s No 3 in ODIs, says Australian captain Michael Clarke

Australia skipper Michael Clarke has confirmed that Shane Watson will continue to be the preferred batsman at No 3 for the team in One-Day Internationals. Clarke’s statements crashes the hopes of Steven Smith who was impressive in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan in UAE.

"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. Smitthy’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 middle order," Clarke was quoted as saying by the official website of Cricket Australia.

"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," said Clarke.

"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," he added.

Smith had earlier said that he would prefer batting at No 3 position. He was the leading run-scorer in the ODI series against Pakistan with 190 runs in three matches at an average of 63.33.