PM’s XI clash ‘a game with no downside’

George Bailey knows as well as anyone what playing for the Prime Minister’s XI can do for a young player with ambitions to play at the highest level.

Almost a decade ago, Bailey was picked to play in the annual clash for the first time, a 26-year-old batsman of some promise but who was yet to score a one-day century from 60-plus domestic 50-over games.

Among his teammates for that match against the touring New Zealanders were two men who, fast forward 10 years, are among the most important figures in Australian cricket; PM’s XI captain Justin Langer – who came out of retirement for the match – and wicketkeeper Tim Paine.

It was in that company that Bailey defied a bowling attack featuring Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult to score an unbeaten 107, leading his side to victory after brash Kiwi opener Brendon McCullum had blasted a century of his own.

It would be another three years before Bailey played the first of his 90 one-day internationals for his country, but he says the match was an important stepping stone on his path to the top level.

And he’s urged this year’s PM’s XI, a young side featuring four teenagers that Bailey will captain against a star-studded South African side at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Wednesday, to take advantage of a rare chance to test themselves against the best players in the world.

“I did OK against New Zealand, which gives you that little bit of belief that you can match it at the next level up,” Bailey said on Tuesday.

“It’s a game with no downside to be involved in. There’s huge upside.

“To play against a side as talent-laden and quality as South Africa, some of the best players in the world and in the history of the game - what a great opportunity to show your wares.

“And no doubt a really strong individual performance against an international side does put your name up in lights a little bit.”

Now 36, Bailey’s teammates for Wednesday's match have an average age of just 22, including teenagers Jack Edwards, Jason Sangha, Max Bryant and Blake Edwards.

They will take on what’s expected to be a full-strength Proteas side led by an imposing fast-bowling attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi for the tourists’ only warm-up match before the the Gillette ODI Series against Australia, starting in Perth on Sunday.

“We will be as close to full strength as possible,” Proteas coach Ottis Gibson on Tuesday.

“Most of the guys who will play in Perth are most likely to play tomorrow, barring injury. We have to see how everything shapes out tonight, and tomorrow we will put a good team out and try to start the tour off with a win.”

The 50-over clash at Manuka Oval begins at 1.50pm AEDT on Wednesday. The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports Cricket and there will be a free live stream on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app

Prime Minister's XI: George Bailey (c), Jason Behrendorff, Max Bryant, Ben Dwarshuis, Blake Edwards, Jack Edwards, Sam Heazlett, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Usman Qadir, Jason Sangha, Tom Engelbrecht (12th man)

South Africa (from): Faf du Plessis (c), Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn.

Australia v Proteas, Gillette ODI series, November 2018

First ODI: Perth Stadium, November 4

Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, November 9

Third ODI: Blundstone Arena, Hobart, November 11

Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, D'Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

South Africa squad: Faf du Plessis (c), Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn.