George Bailey says be can be a national selector and a state player too

George Bailey didn’t always see eye-to-eye with national selectors, but now he is on the verge of joining them.

GEORGE Bailey is in the final running to become the new national selector – and he doesn’t believe it will end his playing career with the Tigers and Hurricanes if successful.

The former Test batsman and Australian T20, one-day and Hurricanes and Tigers captain has been interviewed to fill the selection panel vacancy following the retirement of Greg Chappell in September.

The 37-year-old is currently in the last year of his BBL contract with Hobart and is also playing Sheffield Shield and domestic 50-over cricket for Tasmania.

“I reckon (I could select and play), I’m not going to pick myself,” Bailey told the Mercury.

“I think if I had three or four years to run that would make it a bit different but I’ve made it pretty clear about when I would be finishing up and how I would make it work.

“But I’ve said to them I’m pretty flexible. It was up for discussion but there was no point in getting into it any further then until we know if it is going to happen or not.”

George Bailey in action for the Tigers during the Marsh One Day Cup match against Queensland at Blundstone Arena yesterday. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

Bailey’s leadership qualities have long been admired by both Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania.

He was the first Australian to make his international debut as captain since Dave Gregory led the team in the first Test in 1877 when he skippered the T20 side in 2012.

Given his vast playing and captaincy experience and knowledge of the game in Australia, England and India, and his time as a Tasmanian selector while Tigers skipper, Bailey believes he has the attributes to fill what is an often unpopular role.

“That is one of the great things about cricket that everyone does have an opinion,” he said.

“There are a lot of sports out there that would love for people to have opinions one way or another.

“I’ve had a reasonably unique experience having been a selector, having been a player, having been a captain and having played all three formats at international level.

“I think I’ve got a good perspective and a good relationship with people across the country.

“I feel like I could have a really good impact on the role.”