Bailey suspended for slow over-rate

Australia will need a new one-day captain for their third Carlton Mid ODI Tri-Series match after George Bailey was suspended for his side’s slow over-rate in yesterday’s tense win over India.

International Cricket Council match referee Andy Pycroft ruled that Australia were one over short of their target at the conclusion of India’s innings when time allowances were taken into consideration, and in doing so suspended Bailey from Australia’s next ODI in Hobart on Friday.

It was Bailey’s second slow over-rate offence in the last 12 months after he was fined in the first ODI in Perth against South Africa on November 14, and pleaded guilty to the offence, accepting the sanction without the need for a formal hearing.

Article 2.5.1 and Appendix 2 of the ICC Code of Conduct deals with minor over-rate offences, and states a second offence in the same format within 12 months will result in the captain being suspended and fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while each player will be fined 10 per cent for each match over the allotted time.

Australia went in to Sunday’s match without a specialist spinner, with off-spinning allrounder Glenn Maxwell only bowling two  overs.

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Bailey’s charges went 26 minutes over the permitted time, and despite the pace-heavy attack, Bupa Support Team head coach Darren Lehmann says bowling 50 overs in 3.5hours is manageable.

"You can, considering you bowl 15 overs in a Test match basically. You should be able to get through the 3.5 hours no dramas,” Lehmann said.

"We were slow and we spoke about it last night about being better than that.”

The one positive out of Bailey’s suspension is that his slate as captain is wiped clean, but Lehmann says his side’s tardiness and poor discipline with the ball was not good enough.

"It is a bit advantageous I suppose, but the big thing for me is not bowling our overs.” He said.

“You've got 3.5 hours, it took us 3hrs 56mins I reckon last night.

"We bowled too many wides and we were too slow between overs and we've got to get better at that.”

Test vice-captain Steve Smith is tipped to take the ODI reigns, but Bailey’s suspension, along with injuries to Michael Clarke and Mitchell Marsh, means a replacement batsman will be needed. 

"The advantage it gives us is it gives us a look at the spare batters, if you like," he said.

"We'd love to have everyone fit and available. The problem we've got is we have some niggles, which we know about. 

"We've just got to make the best choices we can. Whoever we put on the park we expect to win."