George Bailey called in to Australia's ODI squad

George Bailey, the Tasmanian batsman and captain, has earned his first call-up into an Australia squad after being added to the ODI group in New Zealand. Bailey has replaced Michael Clarke, who has flown home for personal reasons, for the final two games of the Chappell-Hadlee Series over the next five days.

Bailey, 27, has long been identified as a potential international player and first played for Australia A on the tour of India in 2008. He is enjoying a consistent season across all three formats and recently captained Tasmania to the domestic one-day title.

He was second only to Brad Hodge in the list of run scorers in the FR Cup this summer with 538 runs at 59.77, including his first century. Bailey has also made 692 Sheffield Shield runs at 43.25, placing him fifth in the competition, and the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Bailey deserved to be rewarded for his strong 2009-10.

"George is having an outstanding season in all forms of the game and richly deserves this opportunity to join the Australian squad," Hilditch said. "George is a talented and exciting batsman and we are confident if the opportunity arises he will perform well at international level for Australia."