Melbourne, April 6 (IANS) Australia middle-order batsman George Bailey, who has skippered the One-Day International (ODI) team more than anybody else over the past two years, on Monday said he’s not expecting to be handed the captaincy on a permanent basis.
The 32-year-old’s last appearance was in the World Cup opener against England on February 14, where he scored an important 55 with the bat as Australia won by 111 runs. Michael Clarke – the then regular skipper – returned to the side after the England game to guide them to a fifth World Cup title.
However, Clarke’s retirement from ODIs has not only opened the door for Bailey to resume his place in Australia’s middle order, it’s also raised the possibility that he will take on the captaincy full-time.
But with Test captain-in-waiting Steve Smith having secured his place at the No.3 batting position in the side, Bailey is expecting to be overlooked as captain for Australia’s next ODI assignment, against England in September.
“If I wasn’t in the team for this last six weeks then I can’t imagine I would (be skipper),” Bailey was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
“I would love to remain part of (the team). I certainly feel like I’ve got a number of good years of cricket left in me, and hopefully a number of them are in Australian colours.”
