Bailey backs inclusion of Marsh, Faulkner in Champions Trophy squad

Sydney: Newly promoted one-day vice-captain George Bailey has supported the inclusion of combative all-rounders Mitch Marsh and James Faulkner for Australia`s ICC Champions Trophy campaign, to be held in England in June.

Although the selection of Faulkner for the eight-nation one-day tournament was expected, Marsh`s addition came as a surprise to many given that he missed much of the past season due to hamstring surgery. Praising both Marsh and Faulkner, Bailey said that both the `new blood` are alike in possessing the hunger to find any way to win a battle. Bailey further said that the domestic Ryobi Cup innings had reinforced his lofty opinion of Marsh, who has played only four limited-overs matches for Australia, adding that Marsh has huge potential as a complete all-rounder. Bailey also said that Faulkner has risen to every challenge that has been thrown towards him, whether in Tasmania where he was batting in the top-six or being the death bowler in one-day cricket. Bailey, who was appointed Michael Clarke`s one-day deputy ahead of Matthew Wade, was captaining Tasmania when Marsh, 21, made a dazzling return from his three-month absence in February, scoring 104 from 96 deliveries. ANI