Despite the Sydney Test being largely a fizzer thanks in no uncertain terms to Mother Nature having an epic teary all over New South Wales, that doesn’t mean for a second that the Summer of International Cricket has petered out with it – far from it.
With India now in the country to contest a series of One Day Internationals and International T20 matches, things are just starting to heat up. And it wasn’t the on-field performance of the Australians in yesterday’s epic, successful run chase in Perth (in which the home side hauled in India’s mammoth target of 309 with relative ease) that got everyone talking.
Rather, the focal point of the day rested solely atop the head of George Bailey. Literally.
Bailey’s throwback floppy yellow wide-brimmed hat caught everyone’s attention – a stark contrast from the modern era of player who almost exclusively prefers the baseball-style New Era cap when in the field.
Look at this glorious thing, would you!
Thoughts on George Bailey bringing back the gold floppy for the #AUSvIND series? #styleking pic.twitter.com/7hY18P9doE
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 11, 2016
Stiff brim. Sharp trim. A brilliant bright yellow that could blind pilots. It’s everything we used to love about cricket that we’ve lost in the continued quest for TV ratings and instant gratification.
The internet took to it like a duck to the proverbial.
Man made things that can be seen from the moon . Pyramids, Great Wall of China, George Baileys Hat #Epic #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/0tO94O1c7w
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) January 12, 2016
“@ahealy77: Can everyone please stop and appreciate George’s yellow floppy hat!! #AUSvIND”
So good. Still wish it was terry towelling.
— Pat Cummins (@patcummins30) January 12, 2016
Love Bailey repping the wide brim hat, just an all round great bloke! #AUSvIND
— Adam Tomlinson (@adamtomlinson20) January 12, 2016
Just when you thought one-day cricket was dead, George Bailey brings back the canary yellow wide brim. Respect.
— Richard Bayliss (@RichBaylissFOX) January 12, 2016
Before today I had little interest in travelling to Australia, but now I want to go just to buy a #GeorgeBaileyHat pic.twitter.com/ujqCKiqSZ8
— Ben Karpinski (@followthebounce) January 12, 2016
Australian debutant rankings so far:
1. George Bailey’s hat
2. Scott Boland
3. Joel Paris
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) January 12, 2016
Hell, it’s even got it’s own Twitter account now.
All cricket should be played in the daytime so we can see more of me.
— George Bailey’s Hat (@GeorgeBaileyHat) January 12, 2016
‘Course there was debate about whether or not George’s version stands up against the all-time greats…
Absolutely loving George Bailey’s floppy, but who wore it better? pic.twitter.com/S2ZrVg9sja
— Luxbet (@luxbet) January 12, 2016
Hi @GeorgeBaileyHat, @TomMoodyCricket wants you back. pic.twitter.com/cSshxvS0NI
— The Black Cat (@TheBlackCat1859) January 12, 2016
…as well as rampant speculation as to the hat’s origins…
So evidently, George Bailey’s hat is the subject of discussion. I’ll go with this as inspiration. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/sOtlCHqXtT
— Paul White (@Tigerwhite1977) January 12, 2016
Images emerging of George Bailey who has worn a controversial new hat against India at the WACA today #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/wTgpROVzqt
— Hammy Goodman (@HandsomeHammyG) January 12, 2016
…and at least one person who pointed out that George’s track record with fashion choices isn’t exactly sparkling.
This George Bailey yellow floppy debate isn’t the first time he’s been at the centre of a fashion controversy… pic.twitter.com/1np0cqytyS
— Ben Wise (@BenWiseMelb) January 12, 2016
But still, no one can deny the hat’s pure power. And if George gets his way, the sun-safe option will become a revered staple of Australian cricket in years to come – up there with the Baggy Green.
“I imagine in ten or fifteen years the coloured floppy will have the same sort of significance as the baggy green.”
We’ve been pushing for years to bring back the coloured floppy. I think there will be youngsters wanting to don the floppy and it has that sort of power. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were a few more boys wearing them in game two.”
THAT is precisely the kind of inspiration needed to bond a side, perform miracles on the field, and captivate a nation. George Bailey is a visionary, and that hat is forever.
Now, if only the West Indies could have looked for similar inspiration from their own past…
Still the best @GeorgeBaileyHat : pic.twitter.com/lo7F854Gjj
— Russell Jackson (@rustyjacko) January 12, 2016
You don’t mess with success.
Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
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