Bailey vacillating over Hampshire return
Hampshire are involved in delicate negotiations with their Championship captain as he hesitates over his two-year deal with the county
George Dobell
22-Jan-2018
George Bailey is unsure about returning to Hampshire • Getty Images
Hampshire could be looking for a new County Championship captain after it emerged George Bailey was not keen to return to the club in 2018.
Bailey, who is now aged 35, is understood to have struggled with the demands of playing so often in 2017 and leading a team that avoided relegation by just a couple of points. He is also understood to have an issue with his back.
He signed a two-year contract with the club at the end of 2016, however, and Hampshire remain keen for him to return. ESPNcricinfo understands that conversations are on-going.
His loss would be significant. As well as captaining the four-day side, Bailey also topped the side's batting averages in the Championship (he scored 610 runs at 38.12) as well as being a key part of their T20 side. Bailey also topped Hampshire's batting averages in the Royal London, averaging 78 with a century and two half-centuries in six innings.
George Dobell is a senior correspondent at ESPNcricinfo