Ex-ODI skipper George Bailey refused to address his axing from the national team and was far from satisfied as he piled up 69 in a Hobart defeat
'Gutted' Bailey lets bat do talking for Hobart
Dumped Australia batsman George Bailey has launched a scathing critique of his own innings for the Hobart Hurricanes in their KFC Big Bash League defeat to the Sydney Thunder on Sunday night.
With national selector Mark Waugh watching on in his role as a Channel 10 commentator, Bailey crafted a timely half-century for the Hurricanes in his first match since losing his spot in the one-day international squad to face Pakistan.
A former captain of Australia's one-day team, Bailey refused to discuss his omission from the squad for the five-match VB ODI series against Pakistan.
But despite hitting seven boundaries and a six in his knock of 69 off 54 balls to let his bat do the talking, Bailey wasn't satisfied.
In fact, he was furious with his knock after the Hurricanes' six-wicket defeat, particularly his role in running out Hobart debutant Ben McDermott, who came into the side in place of dropped Sri Lanka superstar Kumar Sangakkara.
"I wasn't," Bailey said when asked if he was pleased with his knock despite the loss.
"I was gutted with it, I thought I wasted too many balls and I ran out the bloke who was hitting it the cleanest out of anyone in our group.
"I thought it was an awful innings and I was pretty angry. I'm still pretty angry about it.
"I think it was one of the main reasons we lost the game."
Coming in during the second over with the hosts in trouble at 2-10, Bailey rebuilt the Hurricanes innings with the help of McDermott (31 off 21 balls) and Jono Wells (26 off 17).
He struck eight boundaries – including back-to-back fours off tearaway Pat Cummins and a sweetly-timed 99-metre six off Shane Watson – but the Hurricanes failed to find the firepower required to propel them to a more imposing total.
The Thunder on the other hand started well through openers Kurtis Patterson (23 off 18 balls) and new English recruit James Vince (44 off 28) before Watson bashed five sixes in a devastating 31-ball 55.
The Thunder's ease in reaching the target with 19 balls to spare left Bailey frustrated.
"It didn't look like any of the Thunder boys had any issues batting on that wicket," Bailey said.
"So I think if I'm facing half the balls in the innings, I need to be clearing the pickets a few more times."
Bailey and fellow experienced ODI campaigner Aaron Finch were replaced in Australia's squad for the five-match series against Pakistan, with BBL sensation Chris Lynn and Test No.3 Usman Khawaja coming in for the pair.
The Tasmanian remains the third-ranked Australian ODI batsman on the International Cricket Council's charts (and 17th in the world) but selectors reasoned he didn't warrant selection with just one 50 from his previous 10 matches.
Coach Darren Lehmann however insisted Bailey's international career isn't necessarily over.
"(It was a) tough call on George," Lehmann said. "He's a ripper bloke, he's fantastic around the group and he's been fantastic as a leader as well.
"Again, it's down to performances from George. He's got to go back and make big runs.
"The door is not shut on any of those players by the way when you're looking at this form of the game with Champions Trophy coming up.
"George has got to perform well and really put his case form."