Bailey’s record surprises former English skipper Lewis
MUMBAI: Tony Lewis, the former England captain was surprised to learn that Australia’s new Twenty20 captain George Bailey joins the list of a very few players who have been made captain first before they played for their nation.
“It is rather unusual and uncommon”, the 73-year-old Englishman, who too was captain first before playing his first ever Test against India (Delhi, 1972), said from England. “I have no idea but can’t see any reason why this is not common now”, he said.
“As long as the new captain can share his views and opinion in team meetings, I see no reason why he (Bailey) cannot be a successful captain. Even if there are senior players in the team, the captain who has not played any match at international level before, should not find it difficult to adjust in the team”, he further added.
George Bailey
“If the new captain, who has not played any international match before, is a batsman, he should also seriously concentrate on his batting and handle the captaincy issue separately. Similar criteria should apply to the bowler-captain”.
“The captain who has not played before should keep the dressing room atmosphere healthy. I had no problem in handling the players and felt no pressure as I knew all of them and played with many in county matches”, he further added.
Bailey was announced as Twenty20 captain of the Australian national cricket team in 2012, succeeding Cameron White.
George Bailey
Before Bailey led the side against India, the last man to captain a Test-playing nation on his first international appearance was Clive Rice, when South Africa returned to the fold with three one-day internationals in India in 1991-92.
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