Is George Bailey the solution as Australia try to plug the middle-order hole left in the Caribbean by Michael Clarke’s absence through injury?
He may be just three games into his one-day international career, but Bailey has made a sterling start against the West Indies, top-scoring in game one before combining with Michael Hussey in a 112-run stand on his way to a maiden ODI half-century in Tuesday’s thrilling tied match.
That 59 was made from the No.4 position in the batting order after playing at No.6 in his first two matches, a spot Australia coach Mickey Arthur concedes his team have been struggling to fill with Clarke back at home nursing his injured hamstring.
And while Arthur wouldn’t say Bailey is as vital as Clarke, he does believe the Tasmanian skipper has gone a long way to vindicating selectors’ faith in him after his initial call-ups at international level had many debating if the 29-year-old was worthy.
“He’s done everything we’ve wanted,” Arthur told AAP.
“He’s come in, he’s provided stability, he’s a calm, level-headed bloke, given a lot of direction to players. He’s just been a real positive influence around the place.
“With Clarkey not here we’re still trying to find the perfect order and we’ll continue to do that. Michael Clarke’s such a big cog for us, whether he bats at three or four.
“It’s been hard trying to shuffle players around and sometimes that’s not great because it doesn’t give the stability players need.”
Bailey will have another chance to impress when Australia play the West Indies in the fourth one-dayer on Friday at the Beausejour Stadium in St Lucia.
After battling with slow and turning conditions that made batting difficult throughout the first three one-day matches in St Vincent, Arthur is hopeful of a slightly more lively pitch in St Lucia.
“It’s called home-ground advantage but playing on a wicket that has turned a hell of a lot has suited the West Indies team,” he said.
“I want to see when we get onto a really good deck as to what happens but, please, that is absolutely no excuse.
“These guys have gone toe-to-toe with us, they haven’t taken a step backwards and they’re providing us with some stern resistance.”
