Year in Review: Top ten batsmen in One Day Internationals in 2013

6. George Bailey

George Bailey – Smiling Assassin

The ever-smiling Tasmanian dynamo was a perpetual thorn in India’s flesh when he led the Australian national side on a seven-game tour from October to November this year. Blessed with a cool head and plenty of power in his forearms, the 31-year old Bailey simply whacked the stuffing out of the wayward Indian bowling in nearly every innings, thus making himself Public Enemy Number One in the eyes of the die-hard Indian fan.

Like most right-handed batsmen, George prefers to play on the front foot, though he has shown capabilities of being equally powerful off the back foot too. Rarely did one see him get bogged down or frustrated – that endearing smile of his masks the ruthlessness with which he dismantles bowling attacks.

2013 has been a phenomenal year for the Tasmanian hitter – he went on to score his maiden hundred in ODIs against Sri Lanka, before going past his personal best on the India tour. He also became the second Australian to captain his side in an international game without having played one before – he celebrated the occasion with a magnificent half century in an Australian win.

He may have to fulfill the role that Mike Hussey essayed with considerable success, and Bailey is certainly on his way to do just that. Exciting times lie ahead for Geronimo!