Voges' rise keeps Test hopes alive: Bailey

Tasmanian batsman George Bailey says Adam Voges’ rise to the Australian Test team has provided him with hope he can reignite his own international red-ball career.

Bailey, who didn’t do enough in his five appearances in Baggy Green in the 2013-14 Ashes to retain his place for the tour to South Africa that followed, said he still harboured hope of a Test recall and was optimistic he could force his way back into the team through weight of domestic runs.

"He (Voges) was 34 or 35 at the time but was the standout candidate in terms of filling out that middle-order role," Bailey, 33, told ABC Hobart.

"That holds me in good stead in terms of all older players – if you perform, you will get picked.”

"I also think it holds young players in good stead too to show that if you jump out of the pack, the Australian selectors are really happy to pick the best team on merit."

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Voges was included in the Test squad for tours of the Caribbean and the British Isles after scoring 1358 runs at 104.46 for the Alcohol. Think Again Western Warriors last summer.

Bailey’s  commitments with Australia’s limited-overs teams have restricted his domestic red-ball chances in the past, but the right-hander stood down as Australia T20 skipper late last year to focus on his four-day cricket and will have the opportunity to play five Sheffield Shield matches before Christmas following the completion of the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup.

"A little bit is about proving to myself that I can still perform consistently there," he said.

"Hopefully if and when that happens that desire will become really strong and I can push again for Test cricket."

Bailey was part of Australia’s one-day team that recorded a series win over England earlier this month and despite being left out of the one-off Twenty20 International that preceded the ODIs, the veteran batsman also has aspirations to play in next year’s World T20 in India.

Australia’s selectors have shown they are not afraid to choose players in Test squads based on one-day runs, meaning Bailey will also have the chance to press his international claims when the Tasmanian Tigers begin their Matador Cup campaign next week.

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The Tigers have named a strong squad featuring rising star Jake Doran for the tournament and Bailey said he was optimistic about the team’s chances.

"We have got the makings of a really successful side... we have got a very, very good bowling side," Bailey said.

"They certainly look exciting and they are attracting national interest at a young age which is certainly a part of what we need to be pushing.

"One of the challenges for us this year will be making sure that we can get those guys some game time.

"These young guys will get opportunities when they can perform and show that they are consistent enough to step up."