Tasmania re-sign http://www.senore.com/Cricket/George-Bailey-c1480 – Cricket News Update
Australian Test opener Ed Cowan and T20 skipper George Bailey have both re-signed with the Tasmanian Tigers for two more years, becoming the first players to sign with the state after the state contracting window opened last week, following Cricket Australia’s
announcement of the 2012-13 contract list.
The team management has stated that other signings will be revealed in the near future, amid rumours that several of the team’s players, among them http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TD-Paine-c2652, have been approached by other states.
“It is a competitive market now and we have had significant requests from other states to talk to our players,” explained the Tiger’s coach Tim Coyle in a conversation with
The Mercury newspaper. “That is expected - it is part of this business now.”
Regardless, Cowan and Bailey have been confirmed for the team for the next two years. The two cricketers were among the players who were surprisingly not offered a central contract by Cricket Australia.
In accordance with the Argus Review, the governing body decided to cut down on the number of central contracts, reducing the number from 25 to 17-20, with the option to upgrade players based on performances.
The announcement raised several eyebrows, particularly the presence of pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MG-Johnson-c1945 in the squad, who has been in and out of the side, owing to his frequent struggles with form. In comparison, Cowan is the team’s primary Test opener, and has scored
a total of 358 runs during the 7 Tests he has played for Australia. He has also performed equally well in the domestic circuit, with scores such as 125, 82, 77*, 0, 11, 143, 12, 33, and 71 for the Tasmanian Tigers earlier this year.
Bailey, who serves as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Tasmania-c854’s skipper in addition to shouldering the responsibility of the national team’s T20 captain, has performed equally well, having played a total of 48 T20s, with 948 runs to his credit. He also made consistent contributions during
the team’s limited-overs series against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in March this year, with a top score of 59.
However, both players have the chance to earn an upgrade based on their performances for Australia. Meanwhile, having secured their place with the Tigers, they will be moving on to other commitments before the start of the domestic season. Cowan is preparing
to captain the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 in July/August this year, while Bailey is currently with the national squad in England, as they take on the Poms for a 5-match ODI series scheduled to commence on June 29 at Lord’s in London.
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