Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia stand-in captain George Bailey expects to be dropped when regular skipper Michael Clarke makes his international comeback.

Bailey will lead Australia in their World Cup opener against England tomorrow, but it remains to be seen whether he will be in the squad when the Baggy Greens take on Bangladesh on February 21 since Clarke is expected to make his comeback during that match.

“It’s a pretty basic equation,” Bailey said. “What will be, will be. I don’t think I probably will [keep my place], but that’s fine.

“I think it’s great that he (Clarke) is on track, certainly from the initial time of his injury I think he’s done a remarkable job to get back in time – even to have murmurs of him playing in this game.

“To have him back for the next game, as was always the plan, I think he’s done a great job.”

When asked whether the threat of being dropped for the match against Bangladesh will affect his mindset during the game against England, Bailey said: “We’ve talked about a squad mentality – if you’re relying on 11 blokes to win the tournament I think you’ll fall well short. We’re very comfortable with the group we’ve got and where we’re at and the roles everyone plays within the team. [It’s] an important thing to have that clarity around what your role is.”

Bailey also admitted that he needs to make some big scores during the World Cup if he is to keep hold of his place in Australia’s ODI squad.

“I actually feel like I’m hitting the ball really well,” he said. “I feel like my role has changed within the team in terms of the way we play. Certainly I’d like more runs, there’s no doubt about that, but our record as a team in the games I’ve played is pretty good I reckon and I’ll stand behind that.”