Tim Paine hopes Tasmanian teammate George Bailey gets nod as new Aussie selector

With the announcement of a new national selector imminent, Tim Paine has issued a timely reminder of the talents a certain Tasmanian teammate would bring to the job if chosen.

A selector in waiting? George Bailey is being considered. Picture: Getty

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George Bailey continues to firm as Australia’s new selector after receiving the strongest possible endorsement from Test captain Tim Paine.

Cricket Australia are expected to announce the third member of the panel within the coming days and as reported by News Corp Australia, administrators are open to the idea of Bailey maintaining a presence as a current player as well as taking on the role.

Paine joked on the ABC that he has helped his fellow Tasmanian through the interview process, but described Bailey as the “ideal” candidate.

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George Bailey is being considered as a new face of the National Selection Panel.

“… Hopefully he gets the nod. I think he’d be ideal,” Paine told ABC Grandstand.

“He was coming up here last week to do his interview last week, and at last week’s Shield game (for Tasmania) he was batting at 5 and I was batting at 7.

“We were both sitting in the change rooms and we actually set up and went through a mock interview.

“I knew he was really well prepared – yeah, he’s ready to go.”

More than a decade ago National Selector Trevor Hohns pushed for Darren Lehmann to come on board as a player while still in the twilight of his domestic career.

However, the Cricket Australia board knocked that on the head.

Michael Klinger is firming for the Melbourne Renegades coaching job

This time though, CA seem open to the idea of Bailey playing out the season for Tasmania and the Hobart Hurricanes as well as starting out as a selector, if he is named.

Michael Klinger was reportedly the other candidate in a two-horse race with Bailey, however, he is himself firming for the Melbourne Renegades coaching job.

Bailey told News Corp Australia last week he felt he could maintain duties as a player and selector without issue.

The 37-year-old would bring maturity, respect and experience to the role as a former Australian one-day captain.

Originally published as Tim Paine hopes Tasmanian teammate George Bailey gets nod as new Aussie selector