George Bailey to step aside on Tim Paine selection

George Bailey says he will recuse himself from discussions over Tim Paine’s selection should there be any division among selectors on the topic.

Former Australian cricket Test captain Tim Paine plays for the Tasmanian second XI

Chief selector George Bailey says he will recuse himself from discussions over Tim Paine’s selection for the Ashes should there be any division among selectors on the topic.

Speaking exclusively to the Cricket Et Cetera podcast, the Tasmanian who describes himself as a close friend of the former captain, discussed the interest the two share with a number of other partners in the Tasmanian Body Fit Training franchise.

The pair revealed their involvement alongside former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt at the launch of the business in August 2020.

“If the panel was not in agreeance with Tim’s position going forward and it was going to come down to a vote, then I would step aside and leave that to Tony (Dodemaide) and Justin (Langer) to work through,” Bailey said in response to a question from co-host of the podcast Gideon Haigh. “They’re both aware of that.”

Bailey said there were conflicts at many levels when a selector is only recently retired.

“I feel like by saying that it sounds like Tim is the only close friend I have and I think since the day that I was given the opportunity to have this role we’ve been aware that’s the case,” the former Tasmanian captain and Test player said.

“I have strong friendships and relationships that go back years with a number of players. I guess that can be viewed a number of ways. There could be a tendency to go easier or visa versa and you could be harder on those players at times.

“I truly believe having strong relationships with the players I doubly make sure to do the job to the best of my ability and I understand that the decisions we make have large ramifications both positive and negative both for the players and their families, their livelihoods and their careers. It’s not something taken lightly and we put the work in because of that to make sure we try and make the best decision we can whether it is with Tim or with anyone.”

Paine and Langer use the same management company but the biggest conflict for the coach at the selection table will be his friendship with the former captain and his fierce loyalty to his men.

The coach and the former captain were tasked with rescuing the reputation of Australian cricket following the sandpapergate scandal and were part of the team that welcomed Steve Smith and David Warner back into the game.

Bailey said neither he nor Paine were actively involved in running the gym business and that cricket was their “primary and number one focus”.

Paine returned to cricket on Monday in a four-day Tasmanian second XI match. He had been due to play club cricket on Saturday but the game was washed out.

Shane Warne has said he does not believe Paine should play in the Ashes, while Brad Haddin has acknowledged the player who stood down from the captaincy on Friday had to prove he was ready to go.

Paine is recovering from neck surgery, which has kept him away from the game this summer, but he looked to move freely as he took six catches in the first innings of the match.

Bailey said the selectors were watching the former captain’s return and admitted there was always some concern he would be fit in time for the first Test on December 8 at the Gabba.

“One thing Tim’s always been pretty good at is the preparation side of things. He is quite meticulous,” he said. “There is no doubt it is not an ideal preparation, but we’ll watch this game and he’ll know how he gets through the four days as much as anyone. I don’t think there’ll be a skill problem but over the next 58 days of the Ashes, 25 are pretty heavy days of cricket, so it’s something to be aware of.

“We’ve been aware that purely physically it is going to be a tight-run thing regardless, but he is certainly really confident that the injury has healed well and I guess this is the next step of the process: the return to play, how does it go, time on feet, the repetitive nature of wicketkeeping, batting under a game-like situation.”

Bailey said the selectors had always been aware they might need to replace Paine at some stage and appeared to indicate Alex Carey was his most likely successor.

“The nature of Tim’s role and age it is not a conversation that hasn’t come up in the past. Tim’s position aside, that’s the same thing we do about David Warner at the age he is at the top of the order or the three fast bowlers we’ve been reliant on. Nathan Lyon has been a constant conversation about how important he has been to the team. They’re all at an age where you have to be a little bit prepared.

“We’ve named Alex Carey in the Australia A team, but at the moment as far as batting wicketkeepers go, we are in a reasonably strong position between Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Jimmy Pierson. I watched Josh Philippe bat beautifully yesterday (Sunday) as well. It would be quite nice if we could play four or five wicketkeepers.”