Bailey: My batting is not that pretty

Australia

One-day specialist George Bailey said Monday he feels ready to step up and play a part in the Test side as Australia attempt to wrest back the Ashes from Englan

Australian Twenty20 International captain George Bailey is likely to be named in Australia's squad for the first Ashes Test, which will get underway in Brisbane on 21 November.

Bailey enjoyed a fine stretch of form in the ODI series against India recently, which the tourists lost three-nil, scoring 478 runs in six innings at the impressive average of 95.60.

"I feel like I am ready. I feel I am playing as good cricket as I ever have and I am still continuing to try and get better," said the 31-year-old Bailey.

"I am at an age where you know you are only going to get one crack at it. So you do it exactly the way you want to do it and I think there are some positives in that too."

Former skipper Ian Chappell, however, has questioned the right-hander's technique – despite an authoritative performance that brought a century and three half-tons in India last month.

Bailey has at times struggled to fulfil his undoubted potential — he averaged just over 18 in 14 Shield innings last season — but said he has learned to block out the knockers.

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell said in a weekend newspaper column that Bailey's batting technique was not worthy of a Test spot despite his glut of ODI runs.

"When I watch the television and see Ricky Ponting or Michael Clarke bat, that to me is beautiful," added Bailey.

"When I watch myself bat it is not that pretty. But once you come to terms with that and make sure it is as good as it can be I don't think anyone cares how it happens as long as you are making runs."

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