Australia are considering promoting skipper Michael Clarke to No.3 for their one-day international match against minnows Afghanistan on Saturday in Sharjah.
Clarke’s men, who are determined to rise up the rankings after dropping to fourth, will also play three one-day games against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates starting on Tuesday.
Clarke, who is a regular No.4, is tipped to claim the crucial No.3 position following recent trials with Peter Forrest, George Bailey, Matthew Wade and Shane Watson in the first-drop role.
The skipper batted at No.3 in two games during a week-long camp in Darwin earlier this month.
“Not that I know of. That’s between the captain and the coach and the selectors,” Australian opener David Warner told a press conference in Dubai on Thursday when asked about Clarke’s new role.
“It’s an opportunity for another guy to come up to that position and try to stake his claims to cement that spot.
“He did bat at No.3 (in Darwin) and he batted very well as he normally does.”
A report on the cricinfo website says Clarke averages 36.20 in 18 ODI matches at No.3 and is set to make a permanent move to the position.
Wicketkeeper Wade is likely to open with Warner.
Top-order batsman and vice-captain Watson is recovering from a calf injury and won’t play in the upcoming four ODI matches.
Warner says he’s expecting to face plenty of spin in the coming weeks and a recent training camp in Darwin on turning pitches has been beneficial to the team.
Nicknamed “The Cannon”, Warner says he’s keen to keep blasting fours and sixes but he’s also conscious of the need to rotate the strike against the slower bowlers.
“The balls were turning square and going over guys’ heads and were doing all sorts of things and the boys adapted very well,” Warner said.
“We did the basic things, trying to get off strike, trying to rotate as well as we possibly could.
“Some of us struggle against spin bowling and we know they (Afghanistan and Pakistan) are going to have a lot of spin bowlers.”