Leadership dramas could derail Australia

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GEORGE Bailey is a great leader and the ultimate team man, but the decision to appoint him World Cup vice-captain is threatening to become an embarrassment.

When things are going as smoothly as they are for Australia less than two weeks out from the game's showpiece event, you want to avoid any possibility of a fly entering the ointment.

But the perfect storm of Michael Clarke's injury problems and Bailey's disastrous form has set up the potentially ludicrous scenario that Australia could use three captains during the World Cup.

All this could have been avoided if selectors had followed their nose and instilled Steve Smith as vice-captain from the outset.

Selectors got it so right when they elevated the man of the future Smith to the Test job instead of Brad Haddin.

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That they didn't apply the same logic to the one-day set-up has been shown up as a serious error in judgment.

Nothing can derail a campaign like leadership dramas, and the writing is on the wall for Australia if they don't manage things correctly.

Bailey will captain Australia in the tournament opener on February 14, although if James Faulkner hadn't injured himself, even that was up for debate.

Clarke will then assume the reins for game two in Brisbane should he pass his fitness deadline, and his return to the batting line-up is highly likely to boot Bailey out of the side entirely.

However, the million-dollar question is if Clarke's right hamstring were to go again at some stage during the tournament, would it be Bailey who returns to the chair?

At the moment, Bailey simply can't justify his place in Australia's first-choice XI.

Michael Clarke and George Bailey hold a pow wow during a training session. Source: News Corp Australia

In a scenario where Clarke was out and Faulkner was back, Bailey's shocking run of form would suggest even then he might be riding the pine.

Mitchell Marsh and Shane Watson are hard to ignore.

The only thing that could save him is he is the nominated vice-captain.

But that's a fairly weak argument when you consider Smith has already proven himself the best young leader in Australian cricket.

It's not the benefit of hindsight that tells you this either.

Even before the one-day tri-series kicked off and the World Cup squad was announced, Bailey was in a lean patch with his ODI form and undoubtedly a fringe option in a full-strength XI.

In contrast, Smith had already cemented himself as the first-picked batsman in the side.

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Selectors at the time said they felt Smith was "tired" from his Test duties and would benefit from taking a back seat in the World Cup.

They were also clearly banking on Bailey — who does have a good record as captain and batsman — finding some runs.

And thirdly, they may not have been expecting Clarke to meet their deadline.

But Bailey went 5, 10 and 2 for the series, and in the match Smith captained in his place in Hobart — the young star smashed a match-winning unbeaten hundred.

Meanwhile, Clarke is two weeks ahead of schedule with his recovery.

Selectors could have seen all this coming.

Rod Marsh himself conceded there may not be room for Clarke, Smith and Bailey in the same team.

Michael Clarke's injuries forced Cricket Australia selectors to look for another ODI leader. Source: Getty Images

Smith is Australia's best Test and one-day player; just have a look at the medals he's got around his neck from the AB Medal.

And it's highly likely he will vice-captain Australia at every match during the World Cup anyway.

So the fact he wasn't officially given that title in the first place could make a lot of people look very silly.

Not the least of all, Bailey — and it's not even his fault.

Bailey has found it challenging filling in for Clarke at the best of times, but when he's in the middle of a major run drought he probably could have done without the extra pressure.

Critics have argued selectors set Clarke up to fail with the fitness deadline they set for him.

But in reality, it's loyal servant Bailey who is on a hiding to nothing.

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