Australia call-up for Bailey(09-Mar-2010)
Australia have called Tasmania captain George Bailey into the one-day squad in New Zealand following Michael Clarke's sudden return home.
Cricket Australia revealed that Clarke had left the squad on Monday and returned home 'for personal reasons', and has been at pains to keep those reasons confidential.
But with only 12 players remaining in New Zealand, selectors elected to call on the services of Bailey, who has impressed in the Ford Ranger Cup this season.
"Due to Michael Clarke returning to Australia for personal reasons, the NSP (National Selection Panel) has today added George Bailey to the one-day squad," said NSP chairman Andrew Hilditch.
"George is having an outstanding season in all forms of the game and richly deserves this opportunity to join the Australian squad.
"George is a talented and exciting batsman and we are confident if the opportunity arises he will perform well at international level for Australia."
Clarke's return to Australia is reportedly related to an issue with his fiancée Lara Bingle, who has announced she is to sue former boyfriend Brendan Fevola.
Bailey sympathises with the Australia vice-captain but is determined to take his chance.
"There are so many Australian players who have grabbed that opportunity when that's been handed to them and that's how a lot of people have made their start," Bailey said.
The Tigers skipper received his call-up on the back of a stellar Ford Ranger Cup season which saw him belt 538 runs, including one century and five fifties, at an average of 59.78.
Bailey insisted he wouldn't be fazed by the sudden change in his schedule, saying he is well-accustomed to the hectic lifestyle of the modern-day cricketer.
"That's sort of how cricket is these days, it's a pretty hectic schedule, even for the domestic scheduling in that sort of competition," Bailey said.
"I'm ready to play, we've hit so many balls over the summer I feel like I'm in pretty good form at the moment so it's just a matter of ticking over."
Bailey wasn't sure if his commitments to his IPL team Chennai Super Kings would be affected by his Australian call-up.
The final ODI against New Zealand takes place on Saturday and Chennai's first match starts less than 24 hours later against the Deccan Chargers.
Cricket Australia revealed that Clarke had left the squad on Monday and returned home 'for personal reasons', and has been at pains to keep those reasons confidential.
But with only 12 players remaining in New Zealand, selectors elected to call on the services of Bailey, who has impressed in the Ford Ranger Cup this season.
"Due to Michael Clarke returning to Australia for personal reasons, the NSP (National Selection Panel) has today added George Bailey to the one-day squad," said NSP chairman Andrew Hilditch.
"George is having an outstanding season in all forms of the game and richly deserves this opportunity to join the Australian squad.
"George is a talented and exciting batsman and we are confident if the opportunity arises he will perform well at international level for Australia."
Clarke's return to Australia is reportedly related to an issue with his fiancée Lara Bingle, who has announced she is to sue former boyfriend Brendan Fevola.
Bailey sympathises with the Australia vice-captain but is determined to take his chance.
"There are so many Australian players who have grabbed that opportunity when that's been handed to them and that's how a lot of people have made their start," Bailey said.
The Tigers skipper received his call-up on the back of a stellar Ford Ranger Cup season which saw him belt 538 runs, including one century and five fifties, at an average of 59.78.
Bailey insisted he wouldn't be fazed by the sudden change in his schedule, saying he is well-accustomed to the hectic lifestyle of the modern-day cricketer.
"That's sort of how cricket is these days, it's a pretty hectic schedule, even for the domestic scheduling in that sort of competition," Bailey said.
"I'm ready to play, we've hit so many balls over the summer I feel like I'm in pretty good form at the moment so it's just a matter of ticking over."
Bailey wasn't sure if his commitments to his IPL team Chennai Super Kings would be affected by his Australian call-up.
The final ODI against New Zealand takes place on Saturday and Chennai's first match starts less than 24 hours later against the Deccan Chargers.