Bailey Leads PM XI to Victory over SA

The last time George Bailey captained an Australian Team, he not only played an innings that halted a middle order collapse to score a half century, he also lead the team to a victory over England at the MCG. It was Australia’s first match of the 2015 World Cup, and it also proved to be his last of the tournament as he was well and truly shafted by the selectors. Yesterday in Canberra Bailey led his young charges in the PM XI to victory in the same calm manner against a full strength South African team, that lopsided smile as prevalent as ever as he captained and batted like someone who should still be doing the job at the highest level. 

People laugh snidely whenever Bailey’s name is mentioned in such ways. It still amazes me. Bailey has always captained in a positive fashion without getting into hysterics. He still has that smile on his face despite almost every situation that he faces. He mightn’t be the most brilliant batsmen in the country but he does a job, he fights for his wicket, and he does it all in the right manner. He also has the respect of his team and the opposition, and he is successful as a captain. 

When Bailey was chosen for the Test team for the Ashes series in 2013/14, there were some eyebrows raised as his form had been in ODI cricket rather than first class cricket. When he was dropped after that series despite being a part of a 5-0 drubbing of England, fewer eyebrows were raised. Bailey himself said his form wasn’t good enough to be retained. Given the revolving door of selections of some and the overprotection with form worse than his was in the years since, one wonders if his release from the Test team – in the same way he was cast aside from the World Cup team when acting captain – was not only premature but extremely short sighted. 

Yesterday his young bowling attack did a number of the South Africans, but it was Bailey pulling the strings, calmly changing the attack around, utilising his spinners well through the middle of the order, placing his fields in an attacking fashion. When it came time to bat he came to the crease with three cheap wickets and held the innings together, remaining unbeaten while encouraging his young charges in Philippe and Sangha as they both made runs. He was the perfect leader for this team, and the victory is a credit to his leadership. 

On the other side of the coin, South Africa will be disappointed not to have had their batsmen get more time in the middle before the short ODI series that awaits them. Along with Australia they have some decisions to make in regards to their team for the upcoming World Cup, and they will want everyone to be at their best. The bowling attack of Steyn, Rabada and Ngini looked sharp, and Tahir will be a handful with his leg spinners. But they will need runs to defend, and de Kock, du Plessis and Behardian will need more than they produced yesterday to be a threat. 

The intensity will much more in evidence come Sunday when the first ODI is played in Perth, but for all of the firepower in the chosen Australian batting lineup, one wonders if a level-headed George Bailey is the element that may be missed the most come the end of this short series.