Ian Chappell says skipper George Bailey’s selection in Australia’s team for the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka is a handicap to the side.
Chappell says Victorian trio Glenn Maxwell, Cameron White and David Hussey all deserve places in the side ahead of middle-order batsman Bailey.
The former 1970s Test captain and prominent media commentator wants to see Hussey recalled to the lineup for Saturday’s Group B clash with West Indies.
Tasmania’s Bailey made his debut as player and captain of the national T20 side in February 2012 and averages 25.00 in eight games with a highest score of 42 against Pakistan in Dubai earlier this month.
The skipper hit an unbeaten six in Australia’s seven-wicket win in their opening Group B clash with Ireland in Colombo on Wednesday night.
Australia coach Mickey Arthur has dismissed Chappell’s comments, saying Bailey is a phenomenal leader and he couldn’t be happier with the 30-year-old’s contribution to the side.
“They (Australia) are handicapping themselves when they are leaving David Hussey out of the lineup,” Chappell told Cricinfo.
“And the handicap has come about because they have picked a captain and then they have picked a team around the captain and that is not the Australian way of doing it.
“When you are fitting George Bailey in and one of David Hussey, Glenn Maxwell or Cameron White is going to miss out, three pretty dynamic middle-order players, it’s a mistake and it’s a handicap for Australia.
“There is only one way around it but that’s not going to happen.
“The other reason it doesn’t make a lot of sense is because Australia have struggled a bit against spin bowling and you have David Hussey who is a very, very good player of spin bowling and a dynamic player who can hit sixes.”
Hussey averages 23.62 and was dropped after making three and one in the first two games of this month’s series against Pakistan.
“I always battle with … it’s very easy to give a comment from outside the team,” Arthur said on Thursday.
“But when you’re actually in the team, I always want to go around the selection table and have this debate with selectors.
“You pick batting ability, fielding ability, but there needs to be a separate column for character and what the chap actually brings to the group.
“That’s massively important. But I can tell you from where I sit that what George Bailey brings to our team is phenomenal.”
Hussey’s presence on the annual national-contract list has raised eyebrows as he’s never played a Test and isn’t winning selection for the World T20. But Arthur says the 35-year-old remains in contention for the 2013 Ashes squad.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Of course, and I agree with the general point. Bailey shouldn't be in the side. I'm just arguing one of your points (and I'm being a bit pedantic to be fair.) Using your logic you could easily argue that because Bailey has scored more T20 runs then Chappell so has more idea about a T20 side then Chappelli.
JohnB
Guest
Wrong re Lawry and wrong re skill levels/picked for his captaincy. He could have been picked for his captaincy, but got in as a batsman and slip catcher, very easily. He's certainly been prepared to be critical since becoming a critic. Of course, far better if he'd just been another cheerleader for the boys.
MrKistic
Roar Rookie
That would also be Ian Chappell, chairman of selectors at the Melbourne Stars. You know, the BBL team D.Hussey, Maxwell and White all play for? Yep. Of course he's still right.
Cantab
Guest
I don't thinks there's much between bailey and Hussey, though my pick would be Hussey, but its pretty marginal. End of the day chapell is well over reacting and should probably apologise to bailey with comments such as ~'Australia are always going to struggle playing 10 against 11'. One thing to say he's the wrong selection however to say bailey adds no value is incorrect.
Jason
Guest
There is no world (whether in this or a parallel universe) where George Bailey or Cam White are a better T20 selection than David Hussey. Having said that, it is T20 so really, who cares?
jameswm
Guest
Clarke was a shrewd captain but an awful T20 bat.
Rhys
Guest
I don't necessarily support Bailey's position as captain and middle order batsman, but in a direct comparison with David Hussey there's not much to split them. Hussey - 23.62@121 Bailey - 25.00@113 I guess his usefulness as a spinner would give D. Hussey the edge in my book. Personally I would rather Michael Clarke not have retired from T20Is. Then Australia would have a quality captain who is arguably our best batsman. As soon as Clarke opted for the IPL this year, the selectors should have encouraged him to resume T20I duties.
Australian Rules
Guest
Nailed it there jameswm
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Drop Arthur.
jameswm
Guest
Sure Matt, but it does have to do with someone's credibility to talk about cricket.
Matt F
Roar Guru
"How many test runs has George Bailey scored?" About the same as David Hussey, not that test runs have any relevance to T20
jameswm
Guest
Ian Chappell that would be fellas, who scored over 5,200 test runs at 42.5 and took 105 catches. Known for his sharp cricket brain, took over a faltering team and turned them into champions. He's commenting on George Who and he's dead right. How many test runs has George Bailey scored? Who could pick Bailey ahead of Dave Hussey, for example?
Giugni
Guest
Ian Who, knifed W.Lawry in the early 70's and has been sticking the boot into Australian captains ever since. And, if ever there was an Australian captain who did not have the skill levels, that is, he was picked for his captaincy, Ian Who was it.
Happy Hooker
Guest
Ian who?