In the absence of Michael Clarke due to injuries, George Bailey took over the reins as captain of the Australian crick๊et team for several seasons.
One cannot forget his contributions with the bat, wherein in the high-scoriᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚng 2013 ODI series in India, Bailey notch🐼ed up milestones for fun.
The Tasmanian’s role in the 2015 World Cup in Australia was limited as he featured only in the opening game of the tourn♍ament. Bailey scored 55 against England at MCG⛄.
However, one impactful suggestion he made during the tournament changed the fortunes of Steve Smith and the Australian teꦕam.
Bailey suggested that Smith should be moved up the order, replacing the slot with Mitchell Marsh lower down the order. Bailey justified his advice citing out Smith’s ability to bat 50 overs and Marsh’s lustrous hi𝓀tting abilities.
“My claim to fame, and no doubt he would have ended up there anyway. We’d been using Steve Smith at six or seven in the one-day team and Zimbabwe (the previous August-September). We threw Mitch Marsh up to t♏hree in a game,” stated Bailey during The Unplayable Podcast.
“I suggested that it should be Steve Smith (at three) because at that time Mitch could, and still can, bludgeon the ball, but I couldn’t see him batting for the full innings, where I could see ‘Smu༒dger’ (Smith) batting for 50 overs, making those key hundreds that you could bat around,” continued Bailey.
Australia’s top scorer 𝓰in the World Cup of 2015, Smith amassed 402 runs at an av🌌erage of 67, with one century and four half-centuries to his name.
“That recommendation was taken up and that played a huge part – Smudger was three right throughout the World Cup and hasn’t moved si🌺nce,” concluded the 37-year old.
Smudge holds an average of almost 63 in Test cricket, only second to Don Bradman’s average of 99.94. Despite his one-year layoff from the game, Smith dethroned Virat Kohli in the Test rankings for the top-spot.
Smith has scored 26 Tesജt tons and 9 ODI tons since his move at number three, starting as a leg-spinner.
