Sydney, Feb 1: Captain George Bailey started his international career on a winning note as Australia beat India in the first of the two T20Is at Stadium Australia. Back in the team, wicketkeeper Matthew Wade slammed a quickfire 72 and set the hosts on track for a win. Wade was named Man-of-the-Match for his brilliant effort. Bailey and Wade briefly spoke about the game at the presentation. Excerpts:
Captain George Bailey
On winning the match
It’s been an outstanding all-round performance by the boys. Hope we get a trophy after ever game. It is very heavy.
On winning a match as captain on debut for Australia
It was very exciting to win the game and hopefully we can do a series whitewash. But more important than that it was how everyone contributed […] particularly while fielding and bowling.
On whether the Test series success was rubbing off on them
A little bit of that. It’s an outstanding feeling for Australian cricket at the moment. We had a really tough training session the first day we got here […]
Man-of-the-Match – Matthew Wade
On his innings
That’s probably the best I have played for a while and I am happy to get a win for the boys. Hopefully I can move on to Melbourne and do the same thing.
On when he was told he would be opening the innings
I spoke to Mickey [Arthur] yesterday in the nets and he told me I was going to open so just took it [in my stride]. Walking out with Davy [David Warner] was great fun.
On whether he was daunted by some of Warner’s strokes
Definitely. I am not going to try and compete with Davy. He tells us all that he is the best in the game so I am not going to try and compete with him. I just get the ones.
On whether the Test wins had rubbed off on the T20I side
Absolutely. We spoke about it. [We’re looking to] keep playing well against the Indians. [The plan is] to not give them an inch. We’ll go to Melbourne and do the same thing, hopefully.
On the bowlers
They are awesome. The spinners took the game away from India. [Brad] Hogg coming back [was great] and [David] Hussey bowled well too.
