Steve Smith is once again moving on up, this time graduating to the distinguished number three position in the Australian batting line-up.

Michael Clarke announced the decision to promote his second-in-charge following an eventful training session in the lead-up to the Frank Worrell Trophy defence, starting Wednesday night (AEST) in Dominica.

The commotion was on account of Chris Rogers being ruled out of the side by team doctor Peter Brukner due to a concussion he sustained the previous afternoon; the product of a local net bowler striking him on the helmet when batting.

• Rogers absence a ‘big miss’ – Windies coach
• Why plucky Chris Rogers is an inspiration to us all
• West Indies a happy hunting ground for Lyon
• Starc to be a victim of cricket climate change

On the face of it, Rogers’ loss looked to be Adam Voges’ gain, with the uncapped Western Australian to slot in like-for-like as a specialist batsman; with either Shaun Marsh or Shane Watson shuffling to the top in place of the felled opener.

But in speaking to reporters after the decision on Rogers had been made, Clarke dismissed the straightforward nature of that transaction.

“If you play two spinners you’re going to have to play two quicks and two all-rounders, I would imagine, in Watto and Mitch Marsh,” he said.

While not a selector, Clarke’s proposition here cannot be ignored. In practice, it means if Fawad Ahmed is given the nod to join Nathan Lyon as a second spinner, the younger Marsh will be filling the hole created by Rogers, not Voges.

Alternatively, if Fawad is overlooked in favour of the more orthodox Australian default setting of a pace trio, then Voges would be in the box seat.

Clarke continued: “It will depend on what the selectors want to do in regard to three quicks versus two spinners so I definitely think there’s a chance for Vogesy to play.”

Voges likely to be the only debutant

Either way, it appears certain that a 442nd Australian baggy green cap will be issued this week, but if Clarke’s framework is agreed to by on-duty selector Mark Waugh, probably not a 443rd.

With ample grass still left on the wicket, the decision will be made after forensic inspection of the playing surface in the hours leading up to the toss, the skipper confirmed.

Rogers was advised of the decision in an on-field conference with Brukner, Clarke and Darren Lehmann early in the training session. Brukner explained that while Rogers wanted to play, the assessment from the previous evening had not improved.

The head injury halts Rogers spell of 19 consecutive Tests (from his 20 in total), corresponding with every fixture where Lehmann has been at the helm, during which time he has chalked up four tons at an average just shy of 40.

“It takes courage for the doctor to make this decision,” Clarke offered, in reinforcing his support of a decision that puts health and safety first.

If Shaun Marsh is picked to join David Warner at the top of the order, it could serve as an audition for the 31-year-old West Australian to occupy the position permanently, with no one individual the obvious successor to Rogers.

Upcoming Ashes series to be Rogers’ last

It is doubly timely as Rogers, 38 in August, has telegraphed widely that the Ashes series that follows the Caribbean tour will be his last before retirement from international cricket.

While he is expected to be fit for the Second Test in Jamaica next week, the self-aware opener will know that selectors will be placed in a difficult position if Marsh is his replacement and scores heavily at Windsor Park.

Chris Rogers has played in every Test since Darren Lehmann took charge of the Australian team. Photo: Getty

Helpfully too for Marsh’s case is that he was Australia’s top scorer with 118, also opening the innings (in that instance standing in for David Warner) during last week’s tour match in Antigua.

However, Clarke did stop short of declaring him a lock for the spot, offering a reminder that Shane Watson has also experienced success as an opener.

West Indies coach Phil Simmons found out the news about Rogers courtesy of a question from the Australian media, but in processing the information identified the loss as significant.

“He’s been like the glue there with the others coming around and playing a lot of shots. That could be a big miss for them,” he said.

On Smith’s move from four to three, Clarke explained that the call came after a conversation with his vice captain when he joined the tour in Antigua last week after his stint at the IPL.

“I spoke to him and made it very clear where I wanted him to bat, and he’s very comfortable to bat there,” Clarke said.

In Smith’s last four Tests, where he stood in for Clarke as skipper while recovering from hamstring surgery, he amassed first innings hundreds on each occasion against the touring Indians in a truly dominant display.

Since his maiden century at the Oval in August 2013, Smith has made eight centuries and averaged 73; reaching 50 on 46 per cent of times he’s walked to the crease in his seemingly never-ending purple patch.

Smith celebrates his 26th birthday on Tuesday.

-ABC