Smith, Bailey tied for fan favourites

There is little to separate George Bailey and Steve Smith when it comes to who Australian cricket supporters would prefer to see take over the world champion's ODI captaincy.

More than 14,000 people had their say on who should lead the one-day team following Michael Clarke’s retirement on a cricket.com.au poll, with results falling slightly in Smith’s favour at 51 per cent.

Bailey spent the majority of the World Cup on the sidelines after Clarke’s return from hamstring surgery, but 49 per cent would prefer to see the Tasmanian not only reinstated to the XI but take the helm when Australia embark on their next ODI series in September.

Bailey has skippered Australia's one-day team more than anybody else over the past two years, including Australia’s World Cup opener on February 14 when he hit an important 55 in leading the side to a 111-run victory before Clarke returned from hamstring surgery.

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Bailey was a standout in his sole World Cup appearance // Getty Images 

Clarke's retirement from ODI cricket has now opened the door for 32-year-old Bailey to resume his place in Australia's middle order and potentially take on the captaincy full-time.

Overall, 29 of his 57 ODIs have come as captain of the side, for a winning percentage of 55 per cent.

However, with Test captain-in-waiting Steve Smith is also a prime candidate having secured his place at No.3 in the side.

The 25-year-old led Australia in both Test and ODI cricket this summer.

He replaced the injured Clarke as Test skipper for three of the four Commonwealth Bank Tests against India, and also stood in as captain for the Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series clash against England in Hobart when Bailey was suspended for a slow over-rate offence.

Incredibly, Smith scored a century in all four matches with the 'c' against his name in a watershed season for the Allan Border Medallist.

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Steve Smith had a golden summer for Australia // Getty Images 

Last week, Bailey said he did not expect to be handed the role, but hoped to replace Clarke in Australia’s middle order.

"If I wasn’t in the team for this last six weeks then I can’t imagine I would (be skipper),” Bailey told The Hobart Mercury.

"I would love to remain a part of (the team). I certainly feel like I’ve got a number of good years of cricket left in me, and hopefully a number of them are in Australian colours."

Quick single: Hussey on Australia's next ODI captain

Australia’s next one-day assignment is a one-off ODI against Ireland in Belfast on August 27 before a five-match series against England in September, giving selectors plenty of time to decide on Clarke’s replacement.

In the meantime, Bailey will concentrate on captaining Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League, while Smith will play under the leadership of Australian teammate Shane Watson at the Rajasthan Royals before Australia’s two-Test tour of the West Indies in June.