Bailey hopes to end form slump

George Bailey might lose his place in the side if continues to fail with the bat. 

George Bailey has one fifty to his name in his last ten ODIs for Australia. While his team has excelled in the ongoing tri-series that also involves England and India, he has been found struggling for runs. In the absence of regular captain Michael Clarke, Bailey has been leading the side and if his slump continues, his position in the playing XI during the World Cup that starts next month will be in danger.

Bailey knows the consequences of his regular failures with the bat but points out the fact that Australia's top order has been in good form and he comes to bat quite late in the innings which gives him little time to settle and he, invariably, ends up playing the role of a finisher.

"If I'm not scoring runs and they pick him (Michael Clarke), that's fine, that's the nature of the game. It'll sound a bit silly but I think we've been batting really well as a group, so in terms of my role I've been coming in a touch later than when I was scoring big runs," he said. "So I feel like I'm batting as well as I ever have, it's just a matter of getting some balls in the middle. But hopefully we continue batting as well as we are at the top of the order and that role continues to be a finishing role at the end."

However, despite his struggles, the 32-year-old is looking forward to captaining the side against India on Monday which also happens to be Australia Day. "It's a very enjoyable thing to do, to captain your country. Tomorrow will be fun, captaining on Australia Day, that will be a real buzz. And you are scoring runs and you are not scoring runs - then you get picked or you don't. It's a really basic equation," he said.

Allrounder Shane Watson has been ruled out of the India game meaning Bailey can move up the order and spend more time in the middle to get back in touch. Mitchell Marsh, who is available for selection after attaining full fitness, might find a place in the playing XI.

"I will probably get to bat higher up with Watson being out, however our line-up's structure will remain much the same as the other day," said Bailey. "I think the spinner will play, Xavier Doherty will come back in and we're just finalising which quicks we're going to go with. Mitchell Marsh has pulled up really well. He has a good chance and if playing he'll be expected to bowl."

However, Mitchell Johnson has been ruled out as he is being saved for the final of the tri-series to be played on February 1. Australia have already qualified for the final after winning all three of their games of the series."I faced Mitchell Johnson last night and that's never pleasant, so his pace was still pretty good. He's had another hit out today. He's going reasonably well. I don't think he'll play tomorrow and he'll be building up for Perth," he said.