The Ashes: Australia batsman George Bailey confident of taki

[grigor]

George Bailey is determined to take his sparkling one-day form into the Test arena when he makes his debut in the Ashes opener next week.

The 31-year-old will be the oldest batsman to make his Test debut for Australia in over 34 years when he faces England in Brisbane.

Bailey averages a shade under 55 in his 35 one-day internationals and scored 478 runs at 95.6 in the recent tour of India, where he skippered the side in the absence of the injured Michael Clarke.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann hinted that Bailey will be given plenty of time to establish himself in the middle order during the Ashes.

Lehmann said: "He's exciting and he's in good form, he'll get his chance to have a real crack at it in the first few test matches and I'm sure he'll do well.

"He's a confidence player, he's experienced so he won't be overawed by the occasion and I think he'll have a good series.

"His performances in the one-day arena have been exceptional over the last 12 months. He's got the ability, we just have to transfer that into the Test arena."

Stay up or catch up - watch England's defence of the Ashes in Australia this winter ONLY on Sky Sports.