Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has confirmed that he will bat at number four in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart, replacing Ricky Ponting in that position and dropping down from number three.

Aussie skipper Michael Clarke had earlier said that the batting order had not been decided, but Watson let the cat out of the bag, meaning Phil Hughes will likely go in at three and allow Watson time to bowl full spells yet remain fresh for batting.

Watson told the media on Friday: "(Coach) Mickey Arthur talked to me at the end of the last Test to say the way it was looking, they were going to move me down to four.

"It's taken me a few days to get my head around that, but it means I can bowl a few more overs.

"In the last Test match, I know Michael (Clarke) in the second innings was a bit hesitant to bowl me a few times towards the latter part of their innings, just to give me the chance to be as fresh as I could going into bat.

"The ultimate is to be able to contribute with both bat and ball throughout the whole Test match and not be held back.

"Batting at four will give me that extra time to freshen up."

Opener David Warner agreed with Watson's reasoning, saying a fresh Watto would be optimal for the team, and that his partnership with Ed Cowan should remain in-tact for the first Test.

Warner said: "As Shane said, (it would be great) if we can get the most out of him bowling. It's going to be fantastic for him to get that little extra rest.

"Me and Ed (Cowan) are in a good space at the moment. They've told us where we're at. We always look forward to batting with each other, and we're playing down in Hobart which is Ed's home ground."