Australia Twenty20 George Bailey could be "flipping burgers at McDonald's" if not for the money poured into the game by Channel Nine, according to the network's executive producer of cricket Brad McNamara.

McNamara criticised Bailey after the batsman suggested the squad for the ongoing five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka was a "B team." - the hosts rested a number of key players, including captain Michael Clarke and batsman David Warner, for the first two fixtures of the five-match affair.

Cricket Australia's decision to rotate players has come amid the renegotiation of a television rights deal with Channel Nine, reportedly worth AUS500million (£328.57mil). McNamara has, however, denied the network had questioned the strength of the current squad before singling out Bailey.

"Nowhere has Channel Nine ever talked the one-day game down, nowhere have we ever said this is a 'B team'," McNamara told Sky Sports Radio. "It's rubbish and George should stick to playing cricket and leave television rights to the people who know what they're talking about.

"I reckon he's got his hands full as it is. He needs to concentrate on staying in the side. And he needs to understand where his money's coming from. Without the TV rights deal, George is probably working in a coalmine or flipping burgers at McDonald's."

The series is currently locked at one win apiece after Australia's 107-run triumph in Melbourne and Sri Lanka's eight-wicket victory in Adelaide. Brisbane, Sydney and Hobart will host matches three, four and five on 18, 20 and 23 January respectively.