Veteran batsman George Bailey has thrown his hat in the ring for selection for the World Twenty20 in India, saying his vast experience and recent hot form with the bat would be a vital asset for Australia.
Bailey stood down from the T20 captaincy 16 months ago in order to concentrate on Test cricket.
In a comical miscommunication, some Cricket Australia officials believed Bailey had actually retired from international T20 cricket altogether.
But the 33-year-old has since made it clear that he's still available for selection, and he looms as a legitimate chance given his hot ODI and BBL form.
Bailey has averaged 60 for the Hobart Hurricanes this summer, and he averaged 54.5 during Australia's ODI series win in England late last year.
"There's a World Cup looming around the corner, and I'd love to be a part of it," Bailey said on Sunday.
"I'll try to drop as many subtle hints as I can in front of Finchy (captain Aaron Finch).
"And I'm pretty sure the selectors know I'm not retired now, so that's a step in the right direction.
"But runs are always the best currency."
Bailey led Australia to two World T20s, but he hasn't played a T20I since April 2014.
The Tasmanian, who has played 28 T20Is, 63 ODIs, and five Tests, believes he can provide crucial experience to Australia's squad.
"I played a lot of T20 cricket in the subcontinent, and had some experience in World Cups. So hopefully that holds me in good stead," he said.
First, Bailey will front up for the upcoming five-match one-day series against India, starting at the WACA Ground on Tuesday.
The one-day series will be followed by three T20s, giving selectors the perfect chance to assess their options.
During the ODI series, each member of the Australian cricket team will wear the name of someone who has inspired others through their hard work.
Bailey has nominated his dad John Bailey, and says he'll wear the name proudly on his shirt.
"Growing up on a farm, we're a long way from other people, so dad built a custom-built cricket pitch with a big wall so I could bang balls until my heart's content," Bailey said.
"It saved me doing it against the weather-board house, which was probably driving mum insane."
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