Former Australian skipper Ian Chappell feels the national team's captaincy has been devalued by the appointment of rookie George Bailey as Twenty20 skipper.
“Twenty20 might be the shortest form of the game and viewed as rock ‘n' roll cricket, but that's no reason to start devaluing the Australian captaincy,” Chappell said of Bailey who was appointed captain on debut.
“The sight of George Bailey receiving his Australian cap only moments before tossing the coin with M.S. Dhoni at the Olympic stadium might have been amusing to some, but not to me.
“Not since Handsome Dave Gregory flicked the florin as Australia's captain in the first Test of 1887 has a debutant led the country. That's because in 135 years Australian cricket has generally maintained a policy of picking the best 11 players and then nominating a leader,” he added.
Chappell said Bailey would have struggled to make the playing XI had he not been the captain.
“He is nearly 30 years of age and wasn't able to force his way into an Australian side until he was appointed captain. Bailey isn't in Australia's best T20 team and with the World Cup being held in September, now is not the time to blood a captain who shouldn't make that squad,” he said.
Chappell said Bailey will have to earn the respect of his team-mates as soon as possible to cement his position.
“Bailey replaced Cameron White as captain of the T20 side when the Victorian skipper was demoted because he couldn't hold his place as a batsman.
