adminMELBOURNE. — George Bailey says he is comfortable with losing the captaincy and his place in the Australian team when Michael Clarke is ready to return to lead the side at the Cricket World Cup.
Bailey will take charge in Clarke’s absence for today’s tournament glitzy curtain-raiser against England before a 90 000 full house at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Clarke was on Thursday ruled out of his country’s World Cup opener as he battles to fully shake off his hamstring problems, but is expected to feature in Australia’s second game against Bangladesh in Brisbane on February 21.
Asked if he was feeling under pressure by the Clarke situation, Bailey told reporters yesterday: “No. I think it’s a pretty basic equation there. So what will be will be.
“I don’t think I will (hold my place), but that’s fine. I think it’s great that he’s on track. Certainly from the initial time of his injury, I think he’s done a remarkable job to get back in time.
“To even have murmurs of him playing in this game. To be available for the next game, which was always the plan, I think he’s done a great job.”
Bailey, who has won 15 of the 28 ODIs in which he has captained his country, said there was no split purposes within the home squad over the switching of captains.
“Hopefully, they get a good grounding in everything. I don’t think our one-day leadership’s changed that much over a long period of time. —AFP.
Online Reporter