Vice-captain Bailey talks leadership

It won't be a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth in Australia's World Cup squad, vice-captain George Bailey insists.

The Tasmanian batsman was on Sunday named stand-in for Michael Clarke in the 15-man squad if the skipper hasn't overcome his hamstring injury in time for the showpiece tournament which starts in February.

Quick single: Australia names World Cup squad

But the ever-modest Bailey suggested there are plenty of names in the line-up with leadership skills.

"The more leaders you've got within the squad the better," Bailey said on Sunday.

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There has been much debate about who would play bridesmaid to Clarke after Steve Smith got a recent call up as Test skipper.

"I wasn't really sure what they were thinking leadership wise but to be honest that wasn't the main concern," Bailey said.

"Number one was getting in the squad."

He praised Smith for his recent captaincy.

"The stuff he's done the past couple of weeks has been absolutely outstanding and he was a real help to me in that last one-day series against South Africa," the 32-year-old said.

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He also pointed toward Brad Haddin's leadership ability, but dismissed concerns there might be too many people trying to make the calls.

"Teams would be worried about it if you are relying too heavily on any stage on any one person.

"In cricket teams I've played in the more help you are getting off field, on field ... the more benefit the team has."

Bailey thinks he and Smith will work well together.

"Everyone is trying to do the best they can for the team.

"It is about coming up with ideas and tactics and a lot of them you come up with in team meetings."

Speculation aside, Bailey wants Clarke to lead Australia.

"Hopefully Pup is back sooner rather than later."

Bailey thinks the squad is "pretty good" and appreciated the difficulties of squeezing Australia's talent into 15 spots.

Bailey joins fellow Tasmanians Xavier Doherty and James Faulkner in Australia’s squad and backed Doherty to justify his inclusion ahead of Nathan Lyon.

Australia’s World Cup Fixtures

February 14: v England, 2:30pm at the MCG

February 21: v Bangladesh, 1:30pm at the Gabba

February 28: v New Zealand, 2:00pm at Eden Park (NZ)

March 4: v Afghanistan, 2:30pm at the WACA

March 8: v Sri Lanka, 2:30pm at the SCG

March 13: v Scotland, 2:30pm at Blundstone Arena

View the full fixture list here

#CmonAussie

Remember, you can also support Australia on the road to the World Cup by either tweeting @CricketAus the hashtag #CmonAussie or visiting this page to get your digital autograph from Clarke and go on to purchase your very own personalised World Cup top.

Get your 'digigraph' here