Australia batsman Shane Watson is on the verge of a big score, according to captain Michael Clarke.

Watson's position at number three has been questioned, and a golden duck against England in Australia's Cricket World Cup opener did him no favours.

George Bailey is expected to make way for the returning Clarke when his side face New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday.

The captain is confident Watson is very close to a big score, and a century against the Black Caps would come as no surprise.

"Look, I think he [Watson] has been a wonderful player for Australia over a long period of time," Clarke told a media conference on Friday.

"I think 'Watto' has certainly acknowledged that he would like to make runs as much as anybody.

"I've watched his preparation since coming back in this World Cup campaign and he's training the house down. He's hitting the ball well. He seems fit and healthy.

"So I personally, I don't think he's far away from a big score, and I think in this big game, I wouldn't be surprised if you see him walk out there and make an important hundred for us.

"Yeah, there's no doubt, he would like to score some runs, especially batting at three, it's a crucial position in our team, and I'd love to see him walk out there and play the way he plays best.

"But just looking at the way he's trained since I've come back into the team, he's not far away, that's for sure. I'm really confident it's around the corner."

Saturday's clash in Auckland will be Australia's first outing in two weeks, with their match against Bangladesh abandoned.

Clarke played down suggestions his team would be under-prepared.

"There's been a bit of talk about the two weeks. I don't think it's made any difference," he said.

"Boys have had a long summer. We've played a lot of cricket. Everybody's ready to play. We were ready to play against Bangladesh; that got washed out.

"We are ready to play here. If this game was to get washed out, we would be ready for the next game in Perth.

"I think the amount of cricket that Australia has played, testing and ODI cricket, I think everybody is as well prepared as they can be."