Naturally enough George Bailey is chasing runs in the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan, but they’re not the runs that will help him back into the Test side.

Having crashed out of the Test side after making 183 runs at an average of 26.14 in his debut series in the Ashes last summer, Bailey is aware there’s a tough grind ahead to regain his spot.

The right-hander’s blazing form in the ODI series in India ahead of last summer’s Ashes, when Bailey crunched 478 runs at 95.60, helped launch the Tasmanian’s Test career.

The baggy green role was brief though and Bailey says Sheffield Shield runs are his only outlet for a recall, not dominating in the coloured clothes.

“No not any more. They picked me on the back of my ODI form and I didn’t have the series that I was hoping for or the selectors were hoping for,” Bailey said on Monday.

“I’d imagine now the way back in is through Shield runs.”

Bailey will lead Australia’s side in the upcoming three-game ODI series starting on Monday in Sharjah while skipper Michael Clarke overcomes a hamstring injury ahead of the first Test in Dubai on October 22.

A veteran of 44 ODIs including 17 as skipper, Bailey can also draw on his leadership experience as Australia’s T20 captain, a role he has now relinquished.

Bailey arrived in Dubai to join Australia’s squad last week after captaining Kings XI Punjab to a semi-final appearance in the Champions League T20 in India.

“Every time you captain it helps you, in every format,” he said.

“T20 has helped my captaincy in terms of being forced to make quick decisions.

“Probably more than other formats, plans can go out the window in a very short space of time.

“You’re forced to think on your free pretty quickly.