Bailey steps down as Australia's T20 captain

Melbourne, Sep 7 (IANS) Cricket Australia (CA) Sunday announced that George Bailey has elected to stand down as Australia's Twenty20 captain.

Bailey has indicated that he wants to concentrate on his preparation for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup and play more first-class cricket for Tasmania, particularly before Christmas. 

As such, he has made himself unavailable for selection in Australia’s T20 International fixtures on the upcoming tour of the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan and Australia’s three KFC T20 Internationals against South Africa in November.

Although Bailey will take a short break from international T20 competition, he will continue to play and captain the Hobart Hurricanes in the KFC T20 Big Bash League and for Indian Premier League (IPL) team Kings XI Punjab.

Bailey was appointed Australian captain in January 2012, taking over from Cameron White, and in that time competed in two ICC World Twenty20 tournaments and led Australia in total of 28 T20 Internationals, winning 14, losing 13 with one tied match.

CA will make an announcement on Bailey’s replacement as captain in due course.

Bailey, who Sunday flies from Zimbabwe to India for the Champions League Twenty20 tournament, said it had been a great honour to lead his country and signalled it was the right time for a change.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the responsibility and honour of leading Australia in T20 internationals,” Bailey said.

“Over the last couple of months I have had the opportunity to reflect on my role as T20 captain and the direction I want to take my cricket over the next few years."

“Personally, I want to focus on my one-day cricket as well as becoming the best long format player I can, to give myself the very best chance to play Test cricket again." 

"Stepping down from the T20 captaincy allows me the option of not playing some T20 International matches so I can play more four-day cricket for Tasmania this side of Christmas," said Bailey.

“With that in mind and also an eye to the future and the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, I consider this to be a good time to step down from the captaincy and allow a new captain the chance to settle into the role."

“My passion and commitment to T20 cricket remains strong and I look forward to continuing my T20 roles with the Hobart Hurricanes and Kings XI Punjab,” said the Australian.