Bailey to recuse himself from vote on Paine selection

Selection chief George Bailey has admitted he will recuse himself from a vote over Tim Paine's international future should the wicketkeeper's place in the Test team come under question.

Fellow men's selectors Justin Langer and new appointee Tony Dodemaide are aware that a vote over Paine's spot would come down to the two of them due to Paine's shared commercial interests and personal friendship with the head selector.

As well as being close friends having played for Tasmania and Australia together for 15 years, Bailey and Paine are also co-franchisees of a Hobart gym business.

"If the panel was not in agreeance on Tim's position going forward, and it was going to come down to a vote, then I would step aside and leave that to Tony and Justin to work through," Bailey told the Cricket Etc podcast. "They're both aware of that."

The revelation is important because Paine's place in the team may come under fresh scrutiny this summer not only because of his resignation as captain, but also because of his severe lack of match practice.

Paine, who has suggested he may retire after the upcoming Ashes series, turned out for Tasmania's second XI at Lindisfarne Oval in Hobart on Monday, a match marked as part of his comeback from a neck injury before the 'sexting' scandal emerged.

In his first competitive match since April, Paine grabbed six catches, one of them a low chance to his right, and got through 65.5 overs of 'keeping without any visible trouble. He is expected to bat at No.5.

The four-day second XI fixture and a three-day Australian intra-squad match in Brisbane early next month will be his only hit-outs prior to the Vodafone Ashes.

Bailey took over from Trevor Hohns as head selector earlier this year, with the 38-year-old believed to be the youngest person ever appointed to the role.

The playing career of the former batter, who played 125 international matches, only finished last year.

He won the ODI World Cup with current white-ball captain Aaron Finch, plus David Warner and Steve Smith, while he featured in the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash with Smith and Warner as well as Nathan Lyon – all players who remain key figures in Australian teams.

"By saying that (he would recuse himself of a vote on Paine), it sounds like Tim is the only close friend I have," said Bailey.

"Since the day I was given the opportunity to have that role, we've been aware that that's the case. I have strong friendships and relationships that go back a number of years with the players.

"I guess that can be viewed a number of ways, that there could be a tendency to be go easier or vice versa – it could go the other way, you could go harder on players at times.

"But I truly believe that having strong relationships with the players, it just doubly makes sure that I do the job to the best of my ability.

"I understand the decisions we make have large ramifications both positive and negative for players and their families.

"It's not something that's taken lightly and we put the work in because of that, to just make sure we're trying to make sure it's the best possible decision that we can, whether it's with Tim or with anyone."

Cricket Tasmania high performance manager Simon Insley, who dead-batted questions from media about the Paine scandal, said the gloveman was "ready to play cricket".

"Whenever you go through challenging times you want to be around your mates and do what you do best," Insley said.

"He's an exceptional cricketer and he wants to play cricket and get ready for the Ashes. He wants to show signs of good form and show that he's ready for selection.

"We all know Tim Paine, he is a very determined individual."

Insley said Tasmania's second XI was excited to play with Paine regardless of what had happened in the past few days.

"This has been a very calculated return to cricket. If there were any concerns about his fitness he wouldn't be playing a second XI game."

Vodafone Men's Ashes v England

Tour Matches

Nov 23-25: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Nov 30 – Dec 3: England v England Lions, Brisbane

Dec 1-3: Australian intra-squad match, Brisbane

Dec 9-12: Australia A v England Lions, Brisbane

Tests

First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba

Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval

Third Test: December 26-30, MCG

Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG

Fifth Test: January 14-18, Perth Stadium