Australia's smiling assassin

Andrew Wu, writing for the Sydney Morning Herald, profiles the rise of George Bailey, and takes a look at what sets the batsman apart from his peers.

As a batsman, Bailey currently has the Midas touch. His hot streak in India - 474 runs at a Bradmanesque average of 118.5 - means he is the form player at the start of the season. But at a time where culture has become the buzzword in Australian cricket, what Bailey, who averages 38 in the first-class arena, brings off the field is just as important as runs on it. And on this front Bailey is almost without peer. From the board room to the dressing room, there is not a bad word said about Bailey. And why would there be? The former Launceston Church Grammar School captain can do it all. As a footballer he was good enough to play at under-18s level for Tasmania and attracted the interest of AFL scouts. He could also swing a tennis racquet.