Full Name Robert John Bailey Born ( 1963-10-28 ) 28 October 1963 (age 60)
Birth Place Biddulph, Stoke-on-Trent, England Role Umpire Name Robert Bailey Relations Roy Wills (father-in-law) Nationality Australian Songs Play Ball | National team
England
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Batting style Right-handed Bowling style Right arm off spin Music group AC/DC (1974 – 1975) |
Rob Bailey (born Robert John Bailey, 28 October 1963, Biddulph, Staffordshire) is a former English cricketer who played in four Tests and four ODIs from 1985 to 1990.
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Playing style
A courageous middle order batsman with a short backlift, Bailey hit the ball extremely hard, with shots all around the ground. Accompanied by this was his ability in the field, and as a part-time off spinner. He took the now prize wicket of Kevin Pietersen for nought, in a County Championship game against Nottinghamshire, at Derby in 2001.
Career
He made his first-class debut for Northamptonshire in 1982 before being selected to represent England – his debut match against the formidable West Indies attack of 1988, leading to his selection for the winter tour to India, a trip that was cancelled due to political reasons – he and several members of the England squad had sporting links to South Africa. He had specifically passed up the opportunity to participate in the England 1989 Rebel Tour to South Africa. His form at the beginning of the 1989 season can only be considered as poor, returning in time for his selection to the 1989–90 West Indies tour. He was given his first game of the series in the third Test where he bagged a pair. After a shocking decision in the fourth Test, perhaps in part caused by an unsportsmanlike appeal by then West Indian captain Viv Richards, he returned with a well made 42 in Antigua against what was fast, accurate and intimidating bowling. Nevertheless, Bailey failed to reach a half-century in six Test innings. However, that innings of 42 saw the end of his international career, despite his consistent performances of the 1990s. Bailey is often referred to as being a loyal player and "one of the finest men to have played county cricket", testament to his seventeen years at Northamptonshire before he left to join Derbyshire at the end of 1999 after his contract was not renewed by Northants.
His playing retirement came in 2001 after which he was appointed to join the ECB's Reserve List of Umpires. Subsequently he is now on the ECB First Class Umpires list after being promoted for the 2006 season.