I really like the promotion of Smith to No.3, didn't really give it much thought but I think it could be really beneficial for this series. it means our top order goes left, left, right, left, right. Makes it a little more challenging for India's spinners and could upset their line a bit if we keep rotating the strike with singles which is so important against spinners.
Plus the swinging, seaming conditions won't be there as much as somewhere like England so he won't be exposed as early. He is our best bat, him coming in at 3, getting his eye in early in time to face the spinners and setting a strong platform for our middle-late order will be crucial. Better sending him out there when we are 20-1 rather than 20-2. He's shown how good he is at no.3 in the ODI's. Marsh has a good record at No.4 scoring a century against South Africa and he averages over 50 at no.5 so he does pretty well in the middle order.
It seems the top order is set - Warner, Renshaw, Smith, S.Marsh & Handscomb and the bowlers are all but confirmed - Starc, SOK, Hazlewood & Lyon.
The only question remains is who will dil No. 6 or 7? Don't really want Wade batting at no.6 but at the same time, neither do I want Maxwell, M.Marsh or Agar batting at 6. Shame there wasn't a gun batsman in form who could play spin and could bowl handy part timers (like a Moeen Ali)