Cricket World Cup: George Bailey could captain Australia if Michael Clarke is unfit

GEORGE Bailey could lead Australia into next month’s World Cup, with the Tasmanian set to be retained when the 15-man squad is announced.

Australia v South Africa final ODI at the SCG

GEORGE Bailey could lead Australia into next month’s World Cup, with the reliable Tasmanian in line to be retained as one-day vice-captain when the 15-man squad is announced.

With Michael Clarke likely to miss the start of the tournament, selectors face the difficult balancing act of having two captains taking charge of the team during the six-week showpiece, with a potential third waiting in the wings.

There’s a compelling argument to name Steve Smith as World Cup vice-captain to mirror his promotion in Test ranks.

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But Bailey has regularly deputised for Clarke since 2013 and it wouldn’t surprise if the status quo is maintained to minimise disruption.

There is still more than a month until the World Cup kicks off on February 14 and there’s always time for selectors to reassess their leadership structure, but at this stage it’s understood no recommendation has been made to the Cricket Australia board for a change.

George Bailey has regularly deputised for Michael Clarke since 2013 in ODIs. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Smith has impressed as Test skipper during his debut series against India, and is destined to be the long-term captain in both Test and one-day formats.

After being left out of Australia’s one-day side for the first international of the summer against South Africa, Smith is now undoubtedly a walk-up member of the batting order.

But while the pressures of the Test captaincy are unparalleled, the complicated ins and outs of leading a one-day team can’t be underestimated when things get tight — especially at a World Cup — and Smith is limited in his experience at the 50-over level.

Bailey on the other hand has now spent 24 of his 52 one-day matches as captain for a fair winning percentage of 54.54.

The 32-year-old possesses a cool head and is as familiar with Australia’s squad as Clarke is — having led them at regular intervals right back to the 2013 summer and that year’s Champions Trophy in England.

Selectors are set to name Clarke in their 15 at an announcement in Sydney, despite uncertainty over his fitness.

George Bailey has now spent 24 of his 52 one-day matches as captain. Picture: Alex Coppel

Clarke is so far excelling with his rehabilitation just three and a bit weeks after surgery, but is still highly unlikely to play in at least Australia’s first World Cup game against England.

If selectors are prepared to carry their best batsman for the early stages of the tournament, then the potential confusion of having two captains leading the side is going to be a fact of life.

Bailey has admitted in the past that it’s not easy coming into replace Clarke as captain during tournaments, however at least he has experience at taking the reins at short notice.

However, former Test and one-day captain Allan Border wrote in a recent column for News Corp that he believes better continuity would be provided by having Smith installed as Clarke’s deputy.

Through history Australia’s Test captain has almost always led the one-day side and Border believes that policy should stay the same with Smith.

“I get the feeling Smith will also be a regular in the one-day side. That is great because, ideally, you want your captain to have the job in both Test and one-day cricket,” Border wrote.

“It can get a bit unwieldy splitting things up.”

Originally published as Cricket World Cup: George Bailey could captain Australia if Michael Clarke is unfit