Bailey’s career ends with trademark grin

THE career of George Bailey couldn’t have ended in a more symbolic fashion, with the 37-year-old bowling slow medium pace with his Tasmanian baggy green on and a smile on his face.

Although it wasn’t the result Bailey was hoping for to end his 15-year red ball career, he did it his way until the end.

Since making his first class debut in 2004 for Tasmania against NSW, Bailey has gone on to play 161 first class matches and five tests but he said he wasn’t sure what the highlight has been.

“I actually don’t know, I’ll probably reflect on that a little bit and try to come up with a list,” Bailey said.

“I mean that honestly, there are lots of things that are awesome, and I’ll reflect on them but as I said it probably hasn’t sunk in yet.”

The loss wasn’t the only anticlimactic ending for Bailey, who made a golden duck in his last innings for Tasmania but like always he found the humour in the situation.

“A lot of people spoke about [Dave] Warner going past Mark Taylor and Bradman but I thought it was more fitting to go out with a duck like Bradman and like the great D.C. Boon, who got a duck in his last inning for Tasmania as well,” he said.

Bailey will now put away the whites as he focuses on his new role as national selected and finishes his playing career in the purple for the Hobart Hurricanes in the upcoming Big Bash, and he admits his new job want change his life that much.

“It [retiring] probably hasn’t sunk in and it probably won’t until the boys run out next game after the Big Bash,” Bailey said.

“I watch most if not every game of the Big Bash anyway, so I’ll probably be doing much the same.”