George Bailey, the former limited-overs specialist, will join Australian selectors panel after the conclusion of the domestic Big Bash Twenty20 tournament, Australian cricket said on Wednesday. Bailey, 37, replaces former captain Greg Chappell who retired from his Team Australia roles as a selector and national talent manager at the end of September.
Bailey will hang up his boots with Tasmania State and Big Bash side Hobart Hurricanes in early February to become a full-time selector, CA said in a statement.
He will initially serve as a “National Teams advisor” for Cricket Australia and work in tandem with head coach Justin Langer and selector Trevor Hohns before becoming a part of the selectors’ panel in a full-time role following his retirement, CA said.
“I am passionate about the long-term success of the Australian cricket team and advancing the cause of Australian cricket in general,” Bailey, who played five Tests, 90 one-day internationals and 30 Twenty20 internationals, said.
“I’m confident I can add value to the selection process and that my experience will be complementary to that of Trevor and Justin. I am really excited to be joining them in the coming months,” he added.
Cricket Australia’s head of national teams Ben Oliver said, “He is an outstanding leader and one of the most respected, thoughtful and generous figures in international cricket. His extensive experience across all formats and deep knowledge of T20 cricket will be invaluable as we head into a home T20 World Cup (next year) and beyond.”
Bailey will focus on selections for the Australia T20 team, with Down Under getting ready to host the T20 World Cup next year.
