I was sledging not chatting to Pakistani Steve Smith, with Mitch Marsh, says Michael Clarke misunderstood his intentions. Australian batsman Steve Smith says his captain Michael Clarke may have misinterpreted his conversation with Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali during the second Test in Abu Dhabi as friendly chit chat. But in reality, he was having a good old fashioned Australian sledge. Early in Parkistan's first innings, Clarke was clearly unimpressed with Smith, who was fielding close to the pitch and Azhar, and engaging in discussions with the opposition's number 3 batsman. The Australian captain gave Smith a rocket and reportedly told him that Azhar's friends were upstairs in the Pakistan changerooms and not down on the field. Azhar was on 14 at the time and went on to score 109 (which he followed up with 100 in the second innings) in Pakistan's 356-run demolition of Australia. Pakistan had earlier won the First Test just as comfortably, by 221 runs. Arriving in Perth on Monday to prepare for Australia's two one-day internationals against South Africa at the WACA Ground starting on Friday, Smith appeared to be surprised to have caught the ire of his skipper. Yeah I'm not sure what happened there. I was actually getting into him," Smith said. So it wasn't what I expected, but that happens I guess. When asked if Clarke had misinterpreted the conversation that was taking place, Smith said: "I think that's how it was," and suggested that talking to opposition batsmen in a productive manner would continue. "We like to play good, hard, tough, aggressive cricket when we're out in the field," he said. That's the way we like to play, so we'll continue to do that. Australia is currently ranked number three in the ODI arena on 114 points, behind South Africa (115) and India (116). As well as trying to recapture the top ranking, the Aussies are also looking for a positive start to its preparation for the World Cup, which it is hosting, starting February 14. They will play the Proteas at the WACA on Friday and again on Sunday before playing one game each in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney. The First Test against India then starts at the Gabba on December 4. Smith says time is running out for players to cement their spots for the World Cup. "I think it's (a) pretty important (series)," he said. I think they are trying, obviously, to get the team that they will be playing in the World Cup and there's not too many games before then. There's plenty of work to do and all of the boys are trying to get a spot in the team. We're very excited to be back in Australia and I guess playing on wickets that we're accustomed to. It's going to be nice to get out there and bat on something with a bit of bounce and pace on it. I was pretty happy with the way I batted in the one-dayers in the UAE. Hopefully I can carry on my form in this form of the game and keep trying to get as many runs as I can and putting my case forward as much as I can as well. While Australia looked every part a fish out of water in the two-Test series in the UAE, Smith doesn't think South Africa will have the same issues adjusting to conditions in their upcoming series. He says he's sure the visiting fast-bowling pair of Dale Steyn and Mornel Morkel will also enjoy the bounce of the Australian wickets. "They are a very good outfit and I think our conditions are very similar to theirs back home in South Africa as well," he said. So look, it's going to be a tough challenge and the boys are looking forward to it. I'm sure they're going to be coming out playing some extremely hard cricket. We recently played the tri-series in Zimbabwe where they got the better of us. It's another chance for us to come out and try to improve and get one over the top of them.