Steve Smith
The favourite following his role as stand-in skipper in Clarke's injury absence for the last three Tests against India this season. Smith has been in outstanding batting form following his four centuries in the four-Test India series with four consecutive scores above 50, highlighted by his last start 105 off 93 balls in the World Cup semi-final victory over India. Smith, who will be 26 in June, has age on his side to be in place to lead Australia through to the next World Vup in England in 2019.
George Bailey
Led Australia in 29 of his 57 ODIs with a 55-percent winning ratio. He had also captained the team in their opening World Cup pool game against England while Clarke recovered from hamstring surgery and he didn’t get a place in the playing eleven in the remaining matches once Clarke was back in the side. Averages 42 with the bat, he is personable and comfortable with the media, but age is not on his side as he will be 36 by the time of the next World Cup.
David Warner
An outside choice given his on and off-field indiscretions with officialdom, but David Warner’s forceful presence may be an option for Australian selectors. Dynamic opening batsman who dictates the scoring with his wide array of aggressive shots and is also an athletic fielder. His temperament is likely to count against him as he has engaged into a lot of controversies on and off the field, given the calmer persona of Smith and Bailey under game pressure but his aggression may be sought to cope with the modern game.