Michael Clarke is ready to shift up or down a reshuffled batting order for the first Test against South Africa if it helps Australia’s newcomers feel more comfortable.
Picking Australia’s order was a simple task for Clarke throughout an Ashes campaign which his unchanged side won 5-0, but the calf injury to Shane Watson has thrown it into a state of flux.
Would-be debutant Alex Doolan is expected to bat at first drop in place of Watson, but the owner of the No.6 spot vacated by axed George Bailey is not as clear cut.
Shaun Marsh and Phillip Hughes, the two batsmen battling allrounder Moises Henriques for the final berth in the side, are top-order specialists for their state sides.
Clarke said he would move from his place at No.4 if it meant raising the confidence levels of the two inclusions in the side.
“Personally, maybe because I’ve played a lot of cricket, it doesn’t faze me what number I bat,” said Clarke on the eve of the first Test in Centurion.
“Other players it might, so I think that’s part of being captain – you have to communicate with the other individuals to work out how you can help them as much as possible.
“But also having the main focus of doing what’s best for the team.”