08 October,2013 12:29 AM IST | | Harit N Joshi
"I don't think his comments have any bearing on the team. I don't think he has been involved with the Australian team for a very very long time. I am not sure his comments will have any particular relevance to this series," Bailey said during the Australian team's first media session at the Cricket Club of India yesterday.
Chappell, a SUNDAYu00a0MiD DAY columnist, had criticised Cricket Australia for agreeing to play an ODI series in India just before the start of the Ashes. "Agreeing to this meaningless ODI tour of India so close to an Ashes series is evidence that Cricket Australia is more concerned with dollars than sense," Chappell had written. The first Ashes Test kicks off on November 21 at Brisbane.
Chappell had also said that the ODI series with India will make the task more challenging for the Australian selectors to pick the right squad for the Ashes. However, Bailey made it clear that focus is on preparations for the 2015 World Cup in which Australia is a co-host. "I think it is towards the 2015 World Cup.
We have got some guys here who have been in the Ashes side and some guys who will be pushing for the Ashes side. As far as this tournament goes, more focus is towards the preparation for the 2015 World Cup," Bailey said.
