Australia captain rules out Australia batting order change

Australia captain Steve Smith backed Mitchell Marsh to find form with the bat, ruling out a change to his team's batting order for the first Test against West Indies.

Marsh has struggled for runs at number six, making just 69 at an average of 13.80 in the three-Test series against New Zealand.

It had led to suggestions wicketkeeper Peter Nevill could be promoted to bat ahead of the all-rounder, but Smith backed Marsh to deliver in the Test starting in Hobart on Thursday.

"Same order," Smith told a news conference.

"I think he's there to do a job, to score runs for the team and I thought he gained a bit of confidence out of the way he played in the second innings in Adelaide [when he made 28].

"Hopefully he can come out and play his natural game and hopefully get a few runs for us this match."

Smith confirmed James Pattinson would take his place in the XI, replacing the injured Mitchell Starc.

The 26-year-old is confident the paceman is ready for his first Test since March 2014.

"He's played enough. He's been bowling really well, he's been bowling really well in the nets as well and he deserves an opportunity and I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes," Smith said.

"He just needs to go out and do what he does well and that's bowl fast and swing the ball and get it up there and try and get it moving.

"I think he's pretty similar to Josh Hazlewood in the way he bowls and hopefully those two can lead our attack really well."