From one legend ... to the next?

As Australia finalise preparations for the first Test against West Indies in Dominica, Steve Smith is poised to attempt what a dozen men before him have tried and ultimately failed to do with any great success – replace the legendary Ricky Ponting at No.3.

Since Ponting moved down to second drop in September 2011, the coveted No.3 role – traditionally viewed as the most important in the batting order – has been filled by a host of hopefuls without anyone coming close to the consistent success of Ponting.

Smith was confirmed as Australia’s new first-drop by captain Michael Clarke yesterday, the same day the prolific right-hander celebrated his 26th birthday.

In his 26 Tests to date, the New South Welshman has produced eight centuries and more than 2,000 runs, batting as low as No.9 in his Test debut and as high as No.4 last summer where he scored half of those Test hundreds across four matches against India, and captained his country for the first time in the absence of an injured Clarke.

Quick Single: Smith targets new, defining chapter

Now the blond Sydneysider takes another, and most likely his last, step up the batting order to No.3 where he’s found success for Australia in limited-overs cricket over the past year, scoring three hundreds including a near-perfect 105 in the World Cup semi-final against India on his home turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

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Smith was superb at No.3 during the World Cup // Getty Images

But the rigours of red ball, five-day cricket are set to pose a different challenge, one no player in Ponting’s wake has been able to overcome.

Allrounder Shane Watson has been handed the most opportunities, appearing 27 times in the position overall and scoring 987 runs at 37.96 with two centuries, but his overall output was deemed insufficient by Australia’s lofty historical standards.

The late Phillip Hughes also made a decent fist of the role, scoring 372 runs at 37.20 in 10 innings, but the natural opening batsman appeared more likely to continue his career at the top of the order.

Usman Khawaja (14 innings, 317 runs at 24.38 with a top score of 65) and Shaun Marsh (10 innings, 301 runs at 30.10, top score 141) both played seven Tests at No.3 before lean runs of form cost them their positions in the side – though Marsh could be considered unlucky to be axed in South Africa last year only two Tests after scoring a century against South Africa.

Tasmanian Alex Doolan kick-started his time in the high-pressure spot with a fine 89 on the same tour, but his form tailed off significantly in the back half of 2014, leaving his record at No.3 currently reading: four Tests, eight innings, 191 runs at 23.87.

Australia No.3 batsmen since Ricky Ponting

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Smith, like many others before him, including Ponting, has had a considerable stint in the middle order before this elevation.

That experience, as well as the judiciousness he has shown in selecting between counterattacking and wearing down the opposition bowlers, indicate he is perhaps the best-equipped batsman since Ponting to capably fill the role.

Captain Clarke signalled his intention to elevate Smith during the World Cup.

“He’s standing up and he’s made the most of the opportunity he’s got at No.3 in one-day cricket,” he said following Smith’s semi-final century.

“He was ready for it, he’s been ready for it for a while.

“It was just about getting that chance, and Test cricket’s no different – he’s ready for that (role) as well if he gets the opportunity.”

Now it seems that opportunity has arrived.