Australia captain Michael Clarke has confirmed that Steven Smith will bat at number three in the first Test against the West Indies in Dominica.

A number of candidates have struggled to enjoy success in the position since Ricky Ponting's retirement, and after impressing in the Test series against India in the winter, Smith will be given the responsibility of following the openers when the match gets underway on Wednesday.

"Steve Smith will bat at number three. That was 100% me going to Smithy and having a conversation with him, and he's all for it," Clarke told reporters.

"We spoke a little bit through the one-day series and the World Cup. Nothing was confirmed until we got on tour, so once he arrived I spoke to him and made it very clear where I wanted him to bat, and he's very comfortable to bat there."

Smith has passed 50 in each of his last seven Test matches and scored four centuries in four matches against India in his side's last series in the longest format.