Stepping into the shoes of Michael Clarke is not an easy task, especially when you have not played an ODI against India, says a report in the DNA, adding that George Bailey, who has featured in just 29 one-dayers for Australia six as captain is still coming to terms with his job.
“The 31-year-old Tasmanian, however, is no stranger to India or the conditions here. Thanks to the Indian Premier League, Bailey is one of many international cricketers who knows his way around on these shores. He played the last of his four matches for Chennai Super Kings in the 2010 season. Australia will miss the services of regular skipper Clarke, who pulled out of the tour (one Twenty20 match and seven ODIs) due to a recurring back injury. One of the few Aussies who has had tremendous success in India, Clarke’s presence will be badly missed as Australia hope regain the No. 1 ranking in the 50-over game,” says the report.
“You take MS Dhoni out (of the Indian team) and that probably answers your question,” Australia coach Steve Rixon said on Monday when asked how much Clarke would be missed.
Rixon backed Bailey to come good on this tour. “It (inexperience in captaincy) is one of our learning curves at the moment,” Rixon said. “We have got to pass that. It’s probably a nemesis.
Bailey is not one of those Australian captains or players who talks big before a series. He is aware that there are no superstars in his side and that he has to get all his 13 teammates together if they are to challenge the might of MS Dhoni and his men. “Certain individuals make predictions before a series. I think that was a way they challenged themselves, got themselves fired up for the series. This group doesn’t need to do that. We have got enough challenges. We don’t have superstars like Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath. We don’t rely heavily on any one or two players. If we are going to play good one day cricket, if we are to win this series, we will need all 13 or 14 of us to play really well,” Bailey said.
According to a report in Indian Express, their focus on the number one spot up for grabs in the upcoming ODI series against India, Australian captain George Bailey and coach Steve Rixon said the visitors are no longer intimidated by the sub-continental conditions courtesy the exposure they have got through the IPL here.
The Aussies will start the tour with a one-off Twenty20 match in Rajkot on October 10 followed by seven ODIs. "If you look at the tournament, it is not just a tournament but a chance to be number 1 in the world in one of the three formats," said Rixon at the first media conference of the squad after its arrival here on Saturday night.
"So, it is very important to the players, the coaching staff and Cricket Australia. At the end of the day, we want to sit back and want to be part of the number one side," he added.
Meanwhile, questions have been raised about the timing and relevance of Australia’s limited overs series in India. However, skipper George Bailey dismissed any comments questioning the scheduling of the series on Monday, putting the matches in perspective, says a report in Hindustan Times. For Bailey, who will lead the side in the absence of the injured Michael Clarke, and coach Steve Rixon, Australia will find motivation in the fact that if they win the series, it will go a long way to improve the ODI side in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup which Australia co-host with New Zealand.
“We have got some guys here who have been in the Ashes side and some guys who will be pushing for the Ashes side. To be honest, Ashes is still a month away. Eight games here is a long way to go. As far as this tournament is concerned, the focus is on the preparation for the 2015 World Cup in mind,” Bailey said.