George Bailey for Aus captain?

[caboose]

I see there are a lot of the usual suspects on the board nominating White as the next Australian captain.

Which leads me to ask what people would think of George Bailey potentially being chosen as captain.

I happened to be listening on ABC Radio yesterday when this point was raised. Largely, I think, on the back of a number of SMS texters to their show saying that it'd be a good idea to pick the best captain at domestic level at the moment - and that man is Bailey.

Even Damien Fleming (who usually seems to find it tough to conceal his bias toward the Vics) conceded it wasn't a bad suggestion.

Tasmania has been a tremendous side since he took over as skipper. And, even despite giving up a number of players to the national side and suffering quite a few injuries, they're probably the most consistent team again this year.

Bailey is intelligent (a trait that unfortunately seems too rare in our players these days), a great leader, unbelievable fieldsman and, although not right at his peak this season, a top-class batsman at his best too.

It's probably a slightly left-field suggestion. But jeez, if White is being touted as a saviour, surely this guy is just as worthy a candidate too?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Oh yay..another batsman who notioriously plays stupid shots to get out, that is not even forgetting his poorish average. No more Tasmanian captains please for a while!

 

[ROSEMVP]

Bailey has alot of trouble against good bowlers.

 

[caboose]

No more Tasmanian captains please for a while!

Sorry. Wasn't aware that was one of the criteria.

 

[Covvy]

Would be alright. Not the smartest cricketer going around as far as tactics go. An example of this would be the One Day match against the Redbacks where they needed around 27 off 24 to win. Dan Christian was on strike and instead of bowling a fast bowling like Drew or Denton, he decided to bowl 'the dud' Krejza and lost the match.

 

[beez]

I would've thought someone would have to be good enough to play Test cricket first before becoming captain.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Sorry. Wasn't aware that was one of the criteria.

I don't want another Ponting thanks!

 

[Doodlesweaver]

George Bailey isn't good enough to play test cricket. Lord, who next will people start a thread on?

David Bandy?

 

[CAS79]

This thread is a clear troll people. Aimed mostly at Victorians.

Good work Caboose.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

In a word, no.

 

[Tazwegian]

I don't want another Ponting thanks!

Yes, because all Tasmanians are like Ponting.

But, no, Bailey is not quite up to test standard in my opinion. His average may look a bit rough compared to some others, but he does play a lot in bowler friendly conditions. Makes some good hard runs at times, and a great hitter of the ball. Just not sure he is our best option at test level as a batsmen, let alone captain.

 

[krusden]

I would've thought someone would have to be good enough to play Test cricket first before becoming captain.

doesnt bother people nominating cameron white as captain, so apparently this is not one of the criteria.

 

[YIIIABLETTT]

Excellent troll is excellent

 

[ROSEMVP]

white actually make tons against the poms

he made a ton against englaND IN A tour game. plus he deserves a gig. great captain great player great fielder decent part timer.

 

[Pumbi]

Is clearly more suited to the shorter version of the game. If he gets a consistent gig in the ODI or T20 team (Not out of the question) then he would be a suitable candidate.

 

[big_e]

white actually make tons against the poms

he made a ton against englaND IN A tour game. plus he deserves a gig. great captain great player great fielder decent part timer.

Against the second string attack.

 

[caboose]

This thread is a clear troll people. Aimed mostly at Victorians.

Good work Caboose.

I guess there was a trolling element to it, CAS79, but that wasn't really my motivation.

I think it's a fairly legitimate question to pose at the moment when there isn't necessarily an immediately-identifiable option to replace Punter.

Personally, I'd go with Watson long term. He's the best player in Australia now, the right age, and has the right temperament.

But god, if people are actually serious about White even being recalled to the Test team (when he has already failed as a player at that level), let alone as captain for bejeezus' sake, then it's certainly reasonable imo to be looking at the credentials of the best captain in the state arena atm.

Just as a very rough comparison, Brearley (who wasn't considered good enough to make a Test team as a batsman) was chosen specifically for his captaincy for England when they were struggling to find one. And proved a pretty darn good choice.

 

[mediumsizered]

Against the second string attack.

Including Bresnan & Tremlett, who have just taken 11 wickets between them in the just completed humiliation of Australia & who took 13 wickets between them in the Australia A match.

 

[Super Hans]

In one word, no

In two words, **** no