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'Time to move on' - Ian Healy calls for George Bailey's exit after Australia's South Africa series defeat

Legendary former wicketkeeper Ian Healy has delivered a scathing critique of Australia’s cricket leadership following their 2-1 Test series loss to South Africa in September and October 2026. Healy directly targeted chief selector George Bailey, questioning the selection panel’s decisions—particularly the inclusion of Nic Maddinson—and called for Bailey’s removal, arguing the squad was poorly balanced for the conditions.

The criticism extended to head coach Andrew McDonald, despite Healy acknowledging McDonald’s role as a selector, with Healy suggesting the panel’s consensus-driven approach led to flawed choices. Australia’s struggles included heavy defeats in Gqeberha (by an innings and 31) and Cape Town (by 176), despite winning the opening Test in Durban.

Healy also questioned Pat Cummins’ captaincy, noting his tactical decisions in the first and third Tests failed to yield results, while proposing Ricky Ponting as a potential replacement for McDonald if performance does not improve ahead of the 2027 Ashes against England.

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