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Bailey relaxed about switch to selection

3 minute read

Hobart veteran George Bailey says he's felt relaxed about juggling the roles of soon-to-be selector and veteran batsman this BBL season.

GEORGE BAILEY Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

George Bailey remains relaxed about making the transition from retiring veteran to national selector, suggesting his final BBL campaign hasn't felt different because of the appointment.

Bailey's decorated playing career will be over when the Hobart Hurricanes' campaign ends.

On current form that is likely to come before the BBL finals; the Hurricanes are now 3-5 for the season after losing to Sydney Thunder on Saturday night.

The widely-respected batsman will then join Trevor Hohns and Justin Langer on the national selector panel, having been brought in as selectors mull plans for this year's Twenty20 World Cup on home soil.

One school of thought at Cricket Australia was that Bailey, appointed last November, should formally serve as selector while still playing for the Hurricanes but that was scuppered.

"Pretty relaxed about it all," the 37-year-old told reporters.

"Once the playing finishes, we'll roll in and I'll be watching the games anyway. You can't get rid of me.

"Everyone (opposing players) has been pretty normal.

"I think they're just happy to see me finishing up."

Bailey top-scored for Hobart in their four-wicket loss to the Thunder.

The knock of 43 was Bailey's highest score in Hobart's current BBL campaign, which is threatening to be derailed by the enforced omissions of Riley Meredith (side strain), James Faulkner (calf) and D'Arcy Short (ODI tour).

"I don't think we are playing awful cricket. We've still got some good match-winners in our team," Bailey said.

"We're just trying to find the right formula to replace D'Arcy, he's been so prolific for us. Both the amount of runs and the pace at which he gets them.

"The bowlers are working really hard given the fact we've lost Riley and Jimmy, our two strike bowlers."