Marsh 'mucked' up Bird decision: Bailey

Tasmania captain George Bailey says paceman Jackson Bird couldn't help but feel peeved at Rod Marsh's recent criticism of his batting, saying the former Test selector simply mucked up the situation.

Marsh raised eyebrows last month when he claimed Bird was overlooked for the first two Tests against South Africa because his batting wasn't up to scratch.

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Instead, South Australia's Joe Mennie was included in the 12-man squad, leaving many surprised at how a bowler was being judged on his batting.

After all, one of Australia's greatest ever pacemen - Glenn McGrath -had a Test batting average of 7.36.

Marsh has since quit his post as chairman of selectors and Bird has been selected for the day-night Test against South Africa at Adelaide Oval, starting Thursday.

Bailey said although Bird can chuckle at the situation now, it wasn't a laughing matter when it first happened.

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"I think he was pretty peeved at the start because it's just not the truth," Bailey said.

"You're not going to not pick the No.11 depending on whether they can bat or not.

"I just think Rod mucked that up.

"I assume they just thought Joe (Mennie) was bowling better.

"That's what they should have told Jackson. We're all grown men.

"It's good to see him get his chance now."

After posting a career-high 39 and sharing in a 93-run last wicket partnership with Bailey in Adelaide, Bird followed that up with a neat 22 batting at No.4 in Tasmania's nine-wicket Sheffield Shield win over Western Australia at the WACA Ground last week. 

The 29-year-old was used as a nightwatchman in that innings but Bailey joked Bird has been batting so well, he would have been promoted that high anyway.

Bird finished with five wickets for the match, with his ability to hold down an end in both innings helping his teammates clean up the rest of WA's batting line-up.

Bailey predicted Bird would do well against South Africa.

"The best thing he does is just hits a really nice length and challenges the batter to make a decision, which is where we've seen the South Africans have some success," Bailey said.

"I think Jackson will do the same thing."

Star Tigers batsman Alex Doolan was named man-of-the-match against WA for his first-innings knock of 202.

But the former Test No.3 suffered a broken jaw during that innings after copping a bouncer from Jason Behrendorff.

Doolan may require surgery and he's unlikely to front up for Tasmania's Shield clash with NSW in Hobart, starting November 26.

MEET AUSTRALIA'S FOUR NEW FACES

• Matt Renshaw. 20. Left-hander, averages 44 from 12 first-class games with two centuries. Yorkshire-born, moved to New Zealand aged seven, then Australia age 11. Queensland's leading Sheffield Shield run-scorer last season.
• Nic Maddinson. 24. Left-hander, averages 38 from 59 first-class games for NSW. Played two Twenty20 games for Australia in 2013. Has made two tons and an 86 in the Shield this season.
• Peter Handscomb. 25. Right-handed Victorian averaging a tick over 40 from 61 first-class games, nine centuries. Son of British parents, holds a British passport but has been in Australia's system since under 19s.
• Chadd Sayers. 29. Medium-fast bowler in the Alderman mould. Has taken 186 wickets at 24.20 in 47 first-class matches. Renowned for making the ball swing at Adelaide Oval.

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