George Bailey admits Australia don’t care at all about their lowly international ranking when it comes to the shortest form of the game, declaring the elusive World Twenty20 to be all that matters.
Bailey confirmed what most already thought, when he acknowledged the ad hoc nature of most T20 internationals means results are quickly forgotten, even by the players.
With Australia ranked sixth in the world, Bailey said standings were irrelevant, given selectors usually picked understrength teams for tacked-on series.
However, a star-studded Australian line-up proved game faces are on ahead of the World T20 starting in Bangladesh in March – annihilating England 3-0 in a series which finished with an 84-run rout of the tourists in Sydney on Sunday night.
Competition for spots in the 15-man squad to be chosen in a couple of days will be fierce given stars David Warner, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson are certainties to come back in.
Bailey says he often forgets basic details of the last T20 he played, such is its sporadic nature, but the skipper believes he’s in for a pleasant type of selection headache as Australia look to break their World T20 duck.
“Sometimes you can’t even remember who played in the last team, let alone how you went or where it was,” said Bailey, who led the way on Sunday with a blazing 49 not out from 20 deliveries.
“I think Pat Howard (Australian team performance manager) would say the same thing – I just don’t think the rankings matter.
“In T20, you win the World Cup – that’s the only thing that counts.
“First and foremost (why Australia is sixth), we don’t play our strongest side. We played our strongest side in the last World Cup (2012) and we haven’t since.”
Bailey said he was most impressed with the versatility in his line-up – the ability of so many of his batsmen to chip in with the ball, and also bat in different positions in the order.
He praised the opening partnership of Cameron White and Aaron Finch against England, the sharp return of left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc from injury and the confidence of rookie legspinner James Muirhead.
Bailey said he will have a say on his team for the squad to go to Bangladesh and play warm-up internationals against the Proteas in South Africa beforehand.
“Any time it’s easy to pick a 15, that’s probably not going to be a great omen for what’s to come,” he said.
“I do get a say and that’s why I’m not that fussed about not being a selector – I think I’ll always discuss teams with the selectors and I’ve got a really good relationship with Boof. You don’t win every battle but that’s ok.
“I think there can be a tendency to play for yourself … but I think guys have bought into team plans and team values.”