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The Aussies answered all questions during the five-nil whitewash of England in the Ashes except one – does George John Bailey have the skill set to succeed at Test level?
When a severely-depleted Australian side landed on the Indian shores for a seven-match one-day international series late in 2013, not many tipped the tourists to fight as hard as they did.
Up stepped a 31-year-old in George Bailey to lead his side by fine example.
And it was that very one day series against the Indians that ultimately handed Bailey his first baggy green.
Having experienced the thrill of winning an Ashes series, Bailey has now gone full circle and it is the very format that won Bailey a chance to prove his worth in the Test arena that will determine if the dream continues for a man who wouldn’t look out of place working behind a desk in an accountancy firm.
Seemingly the race for the number six spot is between Bailey and his Tasmanian teammate, Alex Doolan.
With national selectors tipped to finalise their touring party possibly as early as next week, Sunday’s opening ODI against England in Melbourne could be the final opportunity for Bailey to press his claims to tour South Africa.
As captain of the national T20 team, and unlikely to be replaced with a T20 World Cup starting in March, Bailey will be required for the three-game series against England, which finishes on February 2, only three days before the start of a four-day Test warm-up game against a South African Invitation XI in Potchefstroom.
Hardly an ideal preparation for a player only days out from starting one of the toughest Test series on the calendar, South Africa in South Africa.
The selection of Bailey for the Ashes 2013-14 was certainly a welcome move by the Australian selectors. He remained a critical member in the Australian win in the Ashes and, despite his moderate 183 runs at 26, he must be given more time to prove himself at the Test level.
His experience of leading the Tasmanian side on the domestic circuit can help Michael Clarke in the field, and his ability to score quickly in the lower middle-order cannot be ignored.
The argument against Bailey being on the plane to South Africa?
When Australia were under pressure, he only made one significant contribution – a half century in Adelaide. But in fairness, you can count on one hand the amount of times Australia were on the back foot throughout the series.
There is no doubting South Africa will provide a sterner test for the Aussies and we will need all batsmen at the top of their game if the Aussies are any chance of walking away with success.
But one series is not enough for any player to be judged good or bad at Test level and now the Australian selectors have done away with the policy of making too many frequent changes, it becomes necessary for them to give a longer rope to Bailey.
Moreover, the Australians won’t like to change the winning combination, which they have achieved after months of trials and failures.
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