George Bailey on Sunday decided to step down as Australia’s T20 captain, as he wanted to focus more on the longer format of the game, i.e. Test cricket. Cricket Australia said in a statement “ “George Bailey has resigned as Australia’s Twenty20 captain, citing a desire to focus on First-Class cricket”
Australia look to rebuild for the T20 World Cup 2016 in India and Bailey thought it is the right time to hand over the captaincy as the new captain will get time to settle. Bailey looks for a possible return to the test side with some improved performances. Cricket Australia will name the new captain in the upcoming weeks. Bailey is not available for selection against the only T20 against UAE and 3 T20’s against South Africa in November.
Aaron Finch is likely to be the next T20 skipper for Australia taking into consideration his leadership with Melbourne Renegades in the KFC T20 Big Bash.
Bailey said “The very end goal is hopefully to play more Test cricket, but more than that it’s just about playing the best four-day cricket I can.” Bailey will lead Tasmania in the upcoming Bupa Sheffield Shield season.
Bailey has 13 wins out of 27 matches he has captained in T20’s including the disastrous World T20 tour in Bangladesh. Bailey will be available for T20’s after the South African home series.
Bailey made his ODI debut under Michael Clarke in 2012, and has given some good performances. However in Tests, he has been ineffective and lost his place in the side.
George Bailey will still lead Australia in the One Day Internationals against Pakistan in UAE following the lone T20 match as Michael Clarke’s injury will keep him out from action.
Bailey further explained ”
“Just the structure and scheduling of T20 is a really big challenge,” Bailey said. “Often it’s hard to remember who you had in your squad from one tour to the next, and (there are) a lot of one and two-game series which is quite challenging as well.
“But also we’ve had the chance to see a number of young guys come through and develop which is exciting. I wanted to give a new captain an opportunity to find his feet and put his mark on that team for the (2016) World Cup.”
