Bailey’s taking his chance to shine in the white ball game
TOM Bailey is taking his chance to play white ball cricket for Lancashire with both hands!
The seam bowler hasn’t played in the 50-over or T20 formats for Lightning in three seasons. However, with injuries to Richard Gleeson, Luke Wood and Graham Onions, and Saqib Mahmood on England duty, head coach Glen Chapple has turned to the 29-year-old.
And so far he has responded, taking a Vitality Blast career-best 5-17 in the abandonded draw at Leicestershire on Saturday and 2-22 in the opening win over Durham.
Bailey also pulled off a stunning catch at extra cover at Leicestershire.
The road to finals day continues today when Lancashire face Derbyshire at Emerald Headingley, and Bailey is out to show he has the skills to perform in one-day cricket.
“I’ve not played white ball cricket in three years, and I didn’t think I was going to play this year either, so it’s nice to have an opportunity and I’ve taken it with both hands,” said Bailey, whose figures against Leicestershire were the second best by a Lancashire played in Blast history.
“We’re such a strong white ball side it’s always going to be tough to get in and I’ve had to wait in the wings.”
And Bailey admits he even shocked himself with his catch against Leicestershire.
He added: “We were good in the field in our first game but we fielded so well as a group.
“My catch was an absolute worldie, I’ll never take one like that again! It was the highlight of my day, better than taking five wickets.”