George Bailey: “I honestly felt like I could still play a really good role”
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Australia batsman George Bailey firmly believes that he was removed from the ODI squad too soon and should have been a longer run.
The former ODI captain has been out of the side since December 2016 and admitted that while he was disappointed to have been axed, he felt even worse given the struggles Australia have endured in the 50-over format over the past 12 months.
Despite feeling gutted about losing his place in the side and Australia’s less than impressive run of form, which has seen them win just six of their last 18 ODIs, Bailey is confident that the current group of players can turn things around.
“It was frustrating because I felt like it was premature,” Bailey told cricket.com.au. “I honestly felt like I could still play a really good role.
“And particularly I felt my role wasn’t necessarily to score the runs on the day where Davey Warner or Steve Smith was going to score the hundreds. My job was to be the guy that held up the ship when those guys failed.
“And the structure we had with Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) or Mitch Marsh or Trav Head coming in behind me, they were phenomenal strikers of the ball who did their thing.
“And they’re going to be awesome, it’ll work itself out. But that team is just working through its tempo, working out who’s going to be doing that role for different times. But they can all do it and they’ll work it out.
“And when they do click, I know that England team are setting the benchmark at the moment, but there’s no reason the Australian team won’t do exactly the same thing. With more firepower and more options.”
Even though Bailey averaged over 40 while batting in the No. 4 position and averaged 68.50 in 50-over cricket for Hampshire and Tasmania last year, the 35-year-old acknowledged that his international career is over.
His admission comes even after the national selectors shocked many by recalling Cameron White for the recent ODI series against England.
“I had a great run,” Bailey said. “Whenever it finished I was going to be gutted because it was just awesome to be a part of the Australian team. I feel pretty blessed.”