Bailey’s law for George

Bailey in box seat to secure selector role

TASMANIAN cricket star George Bailey could be days away from being named a national selector – and he would be allowed to continue playing for his state. Bailey’s contract with Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes does not appear to be the barrier it once was.

A DECADE after a push to make Darren Lehmann a player-selector was knocked on the head, a different scenario appears to be playing out with George Bailey.

Cricket Australia is just days away from confirming its new national selector, and says it has kept an open mind about the prospect of that candidate being a current player.

It has been reported that Bailey is in a two-horse race with Michael Klinger to join a panel of three selectors alongside Trevor Hohns and Justin Langer. However, there is a growing feeling that Klinger is firmly in line to be announced as the Melbourne Renegades new coach.

The fact Bailey holds a playing contract with Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes to take him through to the end of the season, would not appear to be the barrier it once was. Back in 2007, Hohns — in his first incarnation as selection boss — tried to bring Lehmann onto his panel while the former Australian star was in the twilight of his domestic career.

Lehmann was keen to take on the role and Hohns felt his relevance as a current player was a positive.

However, ultimately the move was blocked by the Cricket Australia board, who felt you couldn’t be both.

Interestingly, Hohns is once again the Chief Selector.

And this time it seems the CA board is supportive of at least the concept.

“We’ve approached the entire process with an open mind across a range of factors,” said CA high performance boss Ben Oliver. “We’ve been delighted with the quality of the candidates.”

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts told

SEN yesterday a decision was imminent. “I’d like to think we’re less than a week away. We are at the pointy end of the process,” said Roberts.

“Ben Oliver, to his credit has worked through a really good series of discussions with potential candidates and it has really opened our eyes to people who are willing and able to contribute who we may not have contemplated had they not applied. So I think we’ll land a good place. We are hoping it’ll be on the way soon.”

If Bailey was to be appointed, Cricket Australia could request the 37-year-old step down from his duties with Tasmania and Hobart.

However, that would be unlikely if he plans for this to be his last season anyway.