Gilchrist backs 'attractive package' Bailey to 'add starch' to Oz middle order during Ashes

Former Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist has backed ODI captain George Bailey to 'add starch' to the middle order during the winter Ashes series and added that the improving form of Australian batsmen will ensure the return Ashes series will be more competitive than the battle in England

The tourists will be warm favourites after their recent 3-0 triumph on home soil, aided and abetted by the instability of the Australian top order.

However, the Sydney Morning Herald reports that Gilchrist nominated the quartet of Bailey, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Cameron White as having claims for a spot in a first Test team that is likely to contain an additional batsman to the one selected for the fifth Test at The Oval.

Predicting that Bailey would be given the nod after a fine series in India, Gilchrist said that Bailey is an attractive package comprising of good leadership qualities, respect from his peers and juniors, proper attitude, approach and commitment to a team environment, adding that all those will contribute to his position as a front-runner.

According to Gilchrist, the fact that the batsmen have been consistently scoring big runs in India, along with their positive performances in domestic games, is an encouraging sign and can help in the selection for the players in the Ashes series.