World T20 door not shut on Bailey: Marsh

George Bailey is still in contention for the World T20 despite being overlooked in the 17-man squad for the three matches against India later this month, according to National Selector Rod Marsh.

And Bailey's vast experience on the subcontinent, as much as his good recent form, will be a major factor should he jump the queue and earn selection for the four-week tournament in India, which starts on March 8.

Quick Single: Australia name T20 squad to face India

Bailey was today left out of Australia's squad for the three KFC T20 Internationals against India at the end of January, with the likes of Chris Lynn and Travis Head picked ahead of him following their eye-catching performances in the KFC Big Bash League this season.

WATCH: Lynn is the BBL's King of the Six

Bailey has been one of the form batsmen in Australian domestic cricket this summer, including 240 runs from six BBL matches, and he's continued that form in the one-day international arena, peeling off scores of 112, 76 not out and 23 during the Victoria Bitter ODI series.

Marsh said it was "a no brainer" to pick both Lynn and Head for the T20s against India, adding Bailey's omission underlined the current depth of Australia's batting talent.

WATCH: New Year's Eve fireworks from Travis Head

And he offered a glimmer of hope for Bailey's World T20 prospects, saying the 33-year-old's experience with Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League boosts his chances of leapfrogging his way into the 15-man World Cup squad.

The right-hander has scored a combined 590 runs as skipper of the Kings XI in the past two IPL seasons at a strike rate of 135, although he was released from his contract earlier this month and will now likely enter the auction on February 6.

He also hit 478 runs during the 2013 ODI tour of India, averaging 95.60 for the series, a series that propelled him into the Australia Test team for the famous 2013-14 Ashes whitewash.

WATCH: Rod Marsh's T20 and ODI selection press conference in full

"It's very difficult at the moment because there are just so many guys that are in stellar form," Marsh said.

"George Bailey is another one. I make it quite clear that just because they weren't chosen in the 17 doesn't mean they're not going to the (WorldT20).

"(Bailey has) had terrific experience in India as well so it won't be anything for him to not play in the three T20s and to walk into the side, if in fact he's selected.

"It's going to be a very tough job to get it down to 15."

WATCH: Bailey's magnificent WACA ton

Coach Darren Lehmann said Bailey's omission, along with that of Mitchell Marsh, enabled selectors to have a closer look at some lesser known players and added that the pair were still in contention for the World T20.

"We wanted to make sure we had a look at everyone before we selected that World Cup side," Lehmann told SEN’s Breakfast with Frank and Ox.

"We know what George can do so we want to have a look at some of the other players. George has been in fantastic form and batting really well in the one-day arena.

"They're both a real chance for the World Cup and we just want to have a look at some other players."

Australia will play T20s in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney between January 26 and 31 before heading to New Zealand for a three-match ODI series against the Black Caps.

The 15-man squad for the World T20 will be finalised after that series, before Australia play three warm-up T20s in South Africa ahead of their tournament opener against New Zealand in Dharamsala on March 18.

While Australia's injury troubles means they will take an inexperienced pace attack to the World T20, the majority of the batsmen in the squad for the three matches against India have enjoyed great success in the IPL.

Chief among them is opener and Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner, who has scored a total of 1090 runs in the past two IPL seasons, more than any other player.

Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Shaun Marsh, Shane Watson and Glenn Maxwell have also performed strongly in the IPL over many years and Marsh said the annual six-week event will be an important factor when his panel trims the squad to 15 on February 11.

Making the task difficult for selectors is the fact that Australia have played just one T20 international since November 2014, a five-run loss to England in Cardiff last year.

WATCH: England win a T20 nailbiter in Cardiff

And while the three matches against India this month will be an important audition for the World T20, the squad will face a far different challenge during the tournament itself. 

"What we've got to remember is we're playing three matches in Australia and the World T20 is not going to be in Australia," Marsh said.

"So we'll have to use a little bit of knowledge of the IPL to get that final 15, which is not going to be an easy task.

"We'd be silly to neglect (IPL experience) and we'll be calling on quite a few people to give us as much information (as possible) seeing as we don't go to the IPL.

"Having said that, (coach) Darren (Lehmann) has spent quite a bit time there and Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith, Shane Watson and George Bailey have spent a lot of time playing cricket in that part of the world.

"So we'll be seeking out as much information as we possibly can."

Australian batsmen in IPL 2015

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