Bailey remains the country's highest ranked ODI batsman, at eight, but the stand-in captain is facing the prospect of finding himself on the outer if Michael Clarke proves his fitness for the World Cup. The Tasmanian was Australia's star with the bat in the one-day arena in 2013, climbing to a career-best No.2 in the world batting rankings, but his torrent of runs have slowed to a trickle. He has averaged 23 in his past 19 innings and failed to pass 50 in 12 of his past 13 games.

Bailey is aware a continuation of that lean run will mean his participation in the 50-over showpiece could be limited if Clarke meets his February 21 deadline. "I know you guys love writing about it but if I'm not scoring runs and they pick him, that's fine, that's the nature of the game," Bailey said.

"You're scoring runs or you're not scoring runs – you get picked or you don't. It's a really basic equation. If Pup's there one of the batsmen makes way, if it's me or someone else that's how it is. I'll keep saying it, whenever people talk about our chances in the World Cup, the strength of Australia's one-day team is the squad mentality. Whether it's the XI or 15 everyone will play a role."

Time, however, is still on Bailey's side with possibly five more chances to find runs. He has Monday's game in Sydney, the tri-series final in Perth, two warm-up games and the World Cup-opener on February 14 against England to rediscover the form which made him such a crucial part of Australia's rise to No.1 in the 50-over game. Watson's unavailability for the Australia Day clash against India means Bailey will move up to No.4, which should give him time to craft a proper innings rather than having to hit from the word go.

Bailey believes he is not short of form but rather match practice, though there have been several instances during the tri-series and the duel with South Africa where he spurned chances to either finish off a game or make useful late contributions. "It'll sound a bit silly but I think we've been batting really well as a group, so in terms of my role I've been coming in a touch later than when I was scoring big runs," Bailey said. "So I feel like I'm batting as well as I ever have, it's just a matter of getting some balls in the middle. But hopefully we continue batting as well as we are at the top of the order and that role continues to be a finishing role at the end."

Australia are set to make at least four changes to the side which defeated England in Hobart on Friday night. Bailey, David Warner, Mitchell Marsh and Xavier Doherty return at the expense of Cameron White, Shaun Marsh, Moises Henriques and Gurinder Sandhu. Mitchell Marsh will play his first game in more than a month after recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered during the second Test in Brisbane. Bailey said the all-rounder was expected to bowl. Mitchell Johnson, recovering from a hamstring issue, will have to wait until the final on Sunday before he returns to the Australian XI.

Josh Hazlewood is also expected to be given another game off to recover from his heavy workload during the Tests, though he has been menacing in the nets. He had Bailey ducking for cover with a pair of bumpers during a short hitout on Sunday and also bowled with pace on Saturday. "Once again, pace good and his rhythm really good. He's certainly keen to get back out there," Bailey said.