Bailey unfazed by Chappelli criticism

Bailey certainly wont be able to get away with his mostly leg side game against the Poms. And no scoop shots or glides through the air either

I've read bucketloads of forums and opinions on Baily and this is the best comment i've found. Nailed it my friend. Baily is one of the rare people we have that actually play better under pressure and in trying conditions. You can't say that about pretty much any batsmen in Oz cricket at the moment (clarke the exception). One stat that struck me in all of this conversation on GB was that,two years ago he averaged 56 in shield cricket in a side who had only one other player (Ed Cowan) in the top 15 run scorers in shield cricket that season. Last year they had three of the top four run scorers in shield cricket. And Baily averaged 18. I've always seen Baily as a batsmen who thrives under pressure - and John Invererity said exactly that at the Australia A announcement, saying 'i think you'll find a difficult situation brings out the best in George'. On a reasonably good batting wicket last year he struggled but the year before when nobody was really putting there hands up Baily did. A lots been made of why he had such a poor season last year and i honestly think thats why, because everyone else was scoring runs and he was constantly coming in at 3-200 in a strong position. But when the teams struggling its like he's a different batsmen and he looks a million bucks, its like it brings a whole other level of intensity and focus to his game which is very rare in a sportsman, as its natural when under serious pressure to lose your focus. I think its important to note that he also averages 32 in ryobi cup cricket for Tasmania but averages 57 for Australia. The guy has a serious ability to rise to the occasion. He's also taken Tassie to the last 3 shield finals as captain and before last year had taken Tassie to the last three one day finals. He's also the first Aussie to captain a side on debut (well in a 130 years anyway). People are coming up with every excuse they can to knock Baily and yes his FC average isn't great but neither was Alistair Cooks when he first started - look at him now, decent player. George isn't your odrinary cricketer he has something most other people let alone cricketers don't have. A genuine ability to thrive in pressure situations and that takes a special type of cricketer - one we don't have a lot of (albeit we do have a heap of batsmen with twice the ability George have but half the maturity&composure). Imagine if Dave Warner had Baily's cricketing brain, he'd be Bradman. Anyway give George a crack because i dare say we'll know by the end of the series if he's never to play Test cricket again or whether he's the missing link we were looking for at the start of the series (given we were practically settled on our test side-just needed one more solid batsmen to complete the side really given we had a decent bowling attack. Haddin was pretty safe and we had 5 0f the top 6 settled. Baily could really be the missing piece of the puzzle if he fires. If he is then look out England & South Africa.

Totally agree, what first impressed me about Bailey was that he ground out some match saving innings on difficult pitches in the West Indies. I'd pick him for the 1st test.

The difference between Smith and Bailey is that the former has had a very good year or so in first class record and the latter an absolutely dismal one. I think Smith is one of the few good prospects around. It's results that count rather tan style. If you excluded batsmen on style, players like Viv Richards would not have played test cricket.

Good point. Collywobble knew his game and played within his limitations, as many others have done successfully. Yes, I'd be happy with a Collingwood in our team. He's a tough pro, could be a thorn in our side sometimes.

I said this on an article yesterday, so I'll just post it here again. To be fair, Ian Chappell was one of the ones who originally said putting Bailey in the T20 and ODI teams was a bad idea because he was a four day specialist and limited hitter. Now of course, Bailey's the leading ODI run scorer for this year, the number 3 ranked ODI batsman in the world and Ian Chappell is still Ian Chappell. Fact is, nobody would've predicted Bailey would come along as well as he has. Maybe he's just one of those people who excel when they get to play at the highest level. Also, people seem to be forgetting, he has scored runs in almost every ODI series he's been in for the past 18 months. Not just in India. Plenty of the times when he has scored, have been when we lost early wickets and he steadied the ship.

Would take that, if only he could roll over a few half decent medium pacers...

Peds, excellent summary. Bailleys form is excellent, though it is only one day form and indeed on 'roads'. He will need to translate this into first class form. It should be remembered that there really aren't too many knocking the door down and that is the reason for Bailey being under consideration. The paucity of strong and consistent first class form being produced by the next tier of batsmen that is the problem. There are no irresistable selections for #6 at this point, for the most part just Bailey and prior inclusions who have failed under pressure. It's not that Bailey is a perfect fit that puts him as one in line for a test berth, but the fact that he might be the least worst option. He is not the most talented but definitely has the best temperament of those next in line and plays well to his limitations. His leadership would be invaluable too.

I think he needs to be in the mix, be it starting or just in the squad. It's likely one of the incumbent batmen will continue to fail in the first 2-3 games and being replaced by a man in form might be the go.

Bit limited, struggles through the cover region, more or less a one day player, but intelligent and tough.....you could have a Paul Collingwood on your hands. That'd do, wouldn't it?

I fear Hayden has been having alot of drinks with the guys in India an is letting his friendship get in the way of his better cricket sense , I am also referring to his comparison of maxwell to Peterson

Quite true about Smith, you wouldn't have picked him as being a solid number 5 last summer. Let's hope Bailey makes a few in the Shield this week to keep his confidence up because there's not a lot of other options out there right now. Then again another good knock by Doolan this week could also make a difference...

Thanks Peds. That puts some perspective on it. So in first class cricket, Bailey has had one good year, one dismal year and the rest rest mediocre. They are hardly good credentials for a tough ashes arena but I hope I am wrong.

I'm split on this one. I can see where he thinks Bailey is a bit limited. But Bailey is smart and tough, and maybe he's the sort of guy who will do what it takes. I have a feeling Faulkner is a bit the same. He's not the prettiest batsman or bowler, but he's a fighter ad has a good record. He seems to do what's needed. Smith is one with an ungainly batting technique, but given some confidfence, he has really shone. He backed up his solid Ashes series with a very strong Ryobi cup, and runs in the 1st Shield game. George is an older head than Smith, and maybe he can do likewise.

Over the last 5 years Bailey has averaged 37 in shield cricket. Last year he was poor that is for sure, but in 2011 he was excellent making 697 runs @ 58 including 3 tons. So he obviously has ability. In the few years before that his shield average was around 34 which is not great. I don't think you can completely dismiss form in ODI's in picking the test team but the absolutely key factor in picking a test batsmen must be shield runs and on a consistent basis. I would have no problems with him being picked if he comes into the shield match and makes a ton. If he fails in the shield games then you have to leave him out. The form of Watson in ODI's 20/20s compared to test matches over the last few years shows that ODI form does not translate into test form. Similarly David Warner was in blistering form in the Ryobi cup but couldn't make anything like a score in the shield match. Selectors have got to stop being so desperate to find a silver bullet and go back to the basics of putting your best performed first class players into the test side.

Hayden a "too much time on his hands idiot"? He has been in India commentating - and watching bailey play.

Lets see what Beetle Bailey does this Shield round before anymore brickbats or bouquets.

If bailey is selected then we will find that Chappell is correct, nice smile or being a nice guy won't get us ashes runs, he an awesome ODI player but test cricket at the Gabba is f Different to pitches back at my former homeland

I agree and disagree with chappell here , bailey has definitely done more than enough to win selection so he should and will play the first test but I agree with chappell in that he"ll be a dud at test level

Ian chappell might sound over-critical but the stats don't lie and one "awesome"tour from India where the pitches are roads can't define if a players is ashes ready if Hayden thinks that over the top his a retired to much time on my hands idiot!there's a lot of them in australia these days!