Test door ajar for forgotten man Bailey

Nearly three years have passed since George Bailey was shut out of Test cricket after one middling series but the door has creaked ajar as Australia searches for answers to their subcontinental malaise before a daunting tour to India.

Having watched the Test side slump to an unprecedented 3-0 whitewash to Sri Lanka, Bailey ensured there would be no repeat in the one-day tournament by smashing 270 runs at an average of 67.50 to top the batting lists and drive the tourists to a 4-1 victory.

Bailey’s unbeaten 90 in the fourth match fired Australia to an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series and showed the hallmark composure that made the Tasmanian first understudy to Michael Clarke before the captain’s retirement last year.

Australia’s woeful performance against probing spin bowling on flat, turning wickets in the Test series has forced selectors to go back to the drawing board.