Newly-retired Tasmanian legend George Bailey is excited for what's to come as he embarks on the next phase of his cricket career.
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Having played for the last time in Thursday's BBL loss to Sydney Thunder, the 37-year-old will take up the role of national men's selector alongside Trevor Hohns and coach Justin Langer.
"I'm excited by it just because it's different and it's unknown," Bailey said.
"It's just going to be working out how I fit in that process and over time try to find ways I can add some value and improve that process or make it as good as it can be."
Retiring as Tasmania's most-prolific one-day batsman, second-most prolific T20 batsman and third-most prolific Shield batsman, Bailey replaces Greg Chappell on a panel that selects Australia's best XI for all three formats.
If picking a team seems straightforward at first, a quick glance at social media reveals the intense scrutiny placed on panel members with each new series.
"I haven't been on any social media for about 10 years so that's not a stress," the father-of-two said.
"There's three of us on the panel and it'll be gathering as much information as we can and then trying to piece together.
"The interesting thing about selecting is that you've always got one eye on making sure you can win today's game, but you also want to give yourself the best chance to be successful in the future as well, so that balance is always really interesting and a hard line to tread at times."
Nearly two years on from the South African sandpaper scandal, the Australian cricket team has rebuilt its image under the leadership of one of Bailey's long-term Tasmanian teammates, Tim Paine.
Renowned as one of the 'good guys' of Australian cricket, Bailey will relish the chance to stay involved with a side he led in two formats.
"It's an exciting time I reckon to be involved in Australian cricket, I think the Australian team are going really well," he said.
"From the dark days of a couple of years ago I'm really proud of our team now - the way they're playing and on and off the field, the people they are - so to be involved in that in a small part will be really satisfying."
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