Healy and Welsh question George Bailey's role as Australia’s selection chief after heavy Perth defeat

SENQ Breakfast duo Ian Healy and Pat Welsh have questioned the role of George Bailey as Australia’s Chairman of Selectors after the first Test loss against India in Perth.

While Bailey has overseen a successful period as Australia’s main selector since 2021 with an 18-win, six-draw, six-loss Test record in that time as well as a men’s ODI World Cup victory, the former middle-order batsman came in for criticism for his conduct in Perth.

Welsh didn’t like seeing Bailey sitting with the team in the home side’s dugout, instead suggesting he should be completing his role as head selector away from the squad to properly analyse the game.

Healy on the other hand didn’t like seeing Bailey shake hands with the Indian team after the result alongside the Australian XI and team support staff.

Welsh: “What’s the Chairman of Selectors doing sitting there in a tracksuit?

“He should be in a corporate box somewhere watching and taking notes.”

Healy: “He went out and shook hands with everyone, he did the whole shaking hands in a conga line.

“I would be thinking if I'm an Indian cricketer, ‘What do I need to shake your hand for, you’re the chairman of selectors? I just want to hurry up and get this win celebrated’.”

Welsh:“I'm a little bit more sympathetic, I'm willing to cut him a slack, but maybe if we're going down the same path in Adelaide, then I'll tell you what his time might be limited.”

Bailey faces a big week at the selection table before the second Test kicks off in Adelaide on Friday, December 6.

While some are calling for changes to the XI after the 295-run loss in Perth, captain Pat Cummins told SEN Cricket that he can’t see many moves being made for the second Test.

Listen to his full chat with SEN Cricket after the Perth Test below.