As a key man in Tasmania's middle order and the state's vice-captain, George Bailey will be aiming to take the step from consistent contributor to run-machine this season. His tally of 734 Pura Cup runs at 43.17 in 2007-08 was nothing to be sneezed at but the lack of big centuries - his best score was 104 - continued to be his one downfall. His reliability earned him a spot on the Australia A tour of India in late 2008 and he remained a man to watch for the next few seasons. His limited-overs form fell away last summer and his 258 runs at 25.80 was a disappointing personal result in Tasmania's triumphant one-day campaign. But Bailey is so highly rated by Tasmania that when Daniel Marsh tore his calf late in 2006-07, he was handed the captaincy. He guided them to two important wins before giving the reins back to Marsh for the historic final triumph. A contributor rather than a star in that successful season, Bailey scored 626 at 36.82 and added 209 FR Cup runs.

A destructive striker who can change a match within a few overs, Bailey arrived as a state one-day player at 19. By 2005-06, he proved he had added patience to his game when he was given an extended stint in the first-class team due to another Marsh injury, scoring 778 Pura Cup runs and earning a second invitation to the Academy. Talk of the state leadership and possible national team representation began that summer, when his highest score was 155 against South Australia, an innings that formed part of a state-record fourth-wicket partnership of 292 with Travis Birt. Another highlight came shortly before the 2006-07 season, when he bludgeoned 136 from 65 balls for the Academy against a Zimbabwe Board XI. Bailey is a former national under-19 player and the great-great-grandson of George Herbert Bailey, who was part of the 1878 touring squad to England.
Cricinfo staff September 2008

Tasmania Under-19s 2000/01
Australia Under-19s Development Squad 2000/01
Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy 2002 and 2006

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Oct 15, 2007 George Bailey pulls on his way to 76 © Getty Images

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