On This Day: George Bailey Hits Century At Old Trafford

Hampshire Cricket's historian Dave Allen takes a look back on timely memorable moments in his ‘On This Day’ series.

George Bailey (127) - Lancashire v Hampshire, County Championship, 19th June 2017

For many years Hampshire went to the West Indies for overseas players but following a season from Matthew Hayden and the arrival of Shane Warne in 2000, recruitment turned to Australia – Watson, Katich, Thorneley, Clarke (and Clark), Bichel, and in 2013, George Bailey.

He played just five matches that year, had a brief spell with Middlesex in 2016 and then in the following season returned to Hampshire as County Championship captain.

Hampshire made an up-and-down start to the season with big wins and equally big defeats and this trip to Old Trafford was not much fun as Lancashire secured an innings victory, despite Hampshire posting a first innings total of 395 on this day in 2017.

That first innings score was built principally on Kyle Abbott’s highest first-class score of 97* and a fine hundred from the captain – 127 from 187 balls in 309 minutes. 

Bailey stayed just that season but in the final match, at Edgbaston, he top-scored with 55 (10 fours) as Hampshire drew, securing another year in Division One.