Aussies call up ex Grange skip

FORMER Grange professional George Bailey is today on the verge of a first Australian cricket cap in Saturday's one-day international with New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday, writes BILL LOTHIAN.

Bailey, who topped the premiership run charts in 2007 with 765 at an average of 95.62, has been called up to replace Michael Clarke having been captaining Tasmania in domestic matches.

Bailey also turned out nine times for the Saltires, scoring 274 runs with a top score of 92 against Durham.

Today's promotion for Bailey means Saltires will have to look elsewhere for an overseas hired hand in 2010 having been linked to the popular Aussie.