George Bailey

[BarneyBent]

Forget Test aspirations for a moment, and let us reflect on his absolutely phenomenal ODI record thus far. After 34 matches, he averages 57 at a SR of 93 with 2 centuries and 11 50s. At the moment, he and Kohli are probably the best ODI batsmen in the world. Kohli has the reputation, so the fact that it's so difficult to split them speaks volumes.

Anyway, he's stepped up massively on the international stage. Even though his FC performances lately have been pretty rubbish, I'd still be inclined to give him a run in the first Ashes test. You just can't ignore international form like his, even if it's a different format.

 

[TassieEagle]

George Bailey is best Bailey!

But his record against the minnows is terrible, 33 runs in two knocks against Scotland and Afghanistan

 

[Selective Retention]

If Cam White never lost form so spectacularly he more than likely would never have been picked as White would have been the go to guy as captain for the T20s and one dayers.

The interesting thing about Kohli is that he averages the same both home and away and has only played 46 of his 118 games in India. Have to say I was expecting a Dhoni style disparity there.

 

[Dan Cooper]

If Cam White never lost form so spectacularly he more than likely would never have been picked as White would have been the go to guy as captain for the T20s and one dayers...

Good point, and White was never going to graduate to be a regular Test player. But Bailey just might.

 

[Dan Cooper]

Forget Test aspirations for a moment, and let us reflect on his absolutely phenomenal ODI record thus far. After 34 matches, he averages 57 at a SR of 93 with 2 centuries and 11 50s. At the moment, he and Kohli are probably the best ODI batsmen in the world. Kohli has the reputation, so the fact that it's so difficult to split them speaks volumes.

Anyway, he's stepped up massively on the international stage. Even though his FC performances lately have been pretty rubbish, I'd still be inclined to give him a run in the first Ashes test. You just can't ignore international form like his, even if it's a different format.

Bailey's workmanlike but unspectacular 1st class batting average probably would never have earned him a Test look in. But his short form record is indeed spectacular, and he is at the peak of his form right now.

Should be picked for Brisbane.

 

[western royboy]

Good point, and White was never going to graduate to be a regular Test player. But Bailey just might.

People are too quick to write off players. Bailey, White and Voges ae all around 30 and all starting to blossom as first class bats and all have a lot of experience.

From memory another gent named M Hussey also blossomed at around the same age, he wans't ready to play Test Cricket at 25 - but he was at 30. I'm perplexed by the infatuation with youth. Batting takes a long time to get right, only the outstanding players go straight in, yet nowadays we seem to want to throw them in quicker without the first class grounding.

White's Ryobi Cup and first Shield inning have all been high class. He ground out scores on average tracks a fact which has been overlooked by too many.

If he continues in this form he will come into consideration.

 

[Dan Cooper]

People are too quick to write off players. Bailey, White and Voges ae all around 30 and all starting to blossom as first class bats and all have a lot of experience.

From memory another gent named M Hussey also blossomed at around the same age, he wans't ready to play Test Cricket at 25 - but he was at 30. I'm perplexed by the infatuation with youth. Batting takes a long time to get right, only the outstanding players go straight in, yet nowadays we seem to want to throw them in quicker without the first class grounding.

White's Ryobi Cup and first Shield inning have all been high class. He ground out scores on average tracks a fact which has been overlooked by too many.

If he continues in this form he will come into consideration.

I've been pumping up White's tyres lately for the runs he's making and the form he is in, but I just don't see him adding to his tally of 4 Tests.

I do agree with you that selectors tend to be over keen on the next wonder kid often at the expense of more seasoned campaigners.

 

[Slax]

Would love to see Bailey given the chance to play 1st test at #6. He's done more than enough in ODI to get a call up and also offers a realistic option of VC rather than having it given to Haddin.

 

[Run n Spread]

Can not fault him on one day form. He has been brilliant and captained pretty well as well. As for test selection you could do a lot worse.

This is something that perplexes me. Australia aims to get back to number 1 but is not there yet. Part of this will involve younger players stepping up, better development and the natural cycle evolving. Currently the 11 best players in Australia are not the best in the world. So there is a bit of a struggle to select what is not a walk up side.

The selectors and others around them have also hinted the cupboard is bare. Yet when reasonable alternatives are thrown up (aside from the talentd youth who have already been picked -Hughes Khawaja, Smith, Wade, Pattinson, Cummins, Starc et al) such as Voges, Butterworth, O'Keefe, D Hussey, White and Bailey excuses are offered up for some minor technical flaw to how they fit in with the blokes to a guess on how their temperaments will cope. FFS if they are in the best 11 just pick them as a competitive team and filter the youth in gradually when spots will inevitably open up. (Similar actually with what has happened with the bowlers. Starc, Pattinson, Cummins Agar have been given goes and eventually will be stayers when solid players like Siddle, Harris, Lyon et al eventually move on but who deserve their spots for now.

 

[Dan Cooper]

Would love to see Bailey given the chance to play 1st test at #6. He's done more than enough in ODI to get a call up and also offers a realistic option of VC rather than having it given to Haddin.

Good point regarding the vice captaincy. Haddin's 36 year old body can't go on keeping forever, and there is a vacuum of candidates for the v/c job - probably the main reason they bought Haddin back.

 

[Dan Cooper]

I think it might have been Ricky Ponting who was talking up Steve Smith's potential leadership qualities? Other than Smith perhaps, if Bailey makes runs and establishes himself in the Test team, who knows??

 

[Slax]

Good point regarding the vice captaincy. Haddin's 36 year old body can't go on keeping forever, and there is a vacuum of candidates for the v/c job - probably the main reason they bought Haddin back.

From what I was told by a senior player for SA, it was the only reason. It had become impossible for Watson to be VC and with there always being a risk of Clarke missing a game through his back they had to have someone in the side they could step in as captain without CA & the selectors looking completely to absolutely everyone.

 

[Dan Cooper]

From what I was told by a senior player for SA, it was the only reason. It had become impossible for Watson to be VC and with there always being a risk of Clarke missing a game through his back they had to have someone in the side they could step in as captain without CA & the selectors looking completely to absolutely everyone.

I find that easy to believe.

 

[The_Reaper]

I think it might have been Ricky Ponting who was talking up Steve Smith's potential leadership qualities? Other than Smith perhaps, if Bailey makes runs and establishes himself in the Test team, who knows??

Smith's going to be a long term Captain but he'd be at least 2-3 years away surely?

 

[Kram]

Smiling George is a magnificent man.

 

[aussie1st]

It's quite amazing that we could be watching two of the greatest ODI batsmen at the same time. Kohli could well go on to be the best of all time in ODIs, Bailey probably could have followed if he was younger but he certainly could put himself in the history books by keeping this up.

 

[ClokesShankedIt]

Smiling George is a magnificent man.

 

[The Passenger]

The interesting thing about Kohli is that he averages the same both home and away and has only played 46 of his 118 games in India. Have to say I was expecting a Dhoni style disparity there.

Kohli has too good of a technique. He is not a crash and bash player like Dhoni.

VK may be taking his time to fully adjust to test cricket but he will get there, and i would be surprised if he retires with an average less than 50. and i wouldn't be surprised if it finishes above 55, although if i were a betting man i would say somewhere in between the two most likely. an incredible talent. shame he is a total w***er.

 

[Outshined]

Can't argue with form. Obviously he's been playing on roads facing some pretty average bowling, but we could do a whole lot worse than give him a shot at no 6.

Also, Hector is a wicked nickname.

 

[yeah_nah_yeah]

It would be nice to see him in a Shield game before the ashes though. He's not due to play one is he?

 

[TassieEagle]

It would be nice to see him in a Shield game before the ashes though. He's not due to play one is he?

Will be playing the next one I think, whilst the 'A' game is on at the same time.

 

[eth-dog]

Who are Tassie playing in that game? Hopefully Queensland. Ideally you'd have Vic vs Tassie at Bellerive to test both Wade and Bailey, the two bats who you could concievably bat at 6 and against two of the better attacks in state cricket

 

[The_Reaper]

Who are Tassie playing in that game? Hopefully Queensland. Ideally you'd have Vic vs Tassie at Bellerive to test both Wade and Bailey, the two bats who you could concievably bat at 6 and against two of the better attacks in state cricket

Wade at 6?

If he gave up keeping he could develop but we surely have better options at the moment.

 

[yeah_nah_yeah]

Will be playing the next one I think, whilst the 'A' game is on at the same time.

Good to hear, will be good to see if his form transfers to the longer game. Although he could be a bit jetlagged.

 

[eth-dog]

Wade at 6?

If he gave up keeping he could develop but we surely have better options at the moment.

I wish . Take Peirson off Qld's hands, stick him at 7 for the season and Wade as a pure bat