“Categorically, no,” Bailey said as to whether there were any lingering issues from that time which impacted his selection. “I’ve shared this with Cameron on a number of occasions. It has never at any stage been discussed from the panel’s perspective. It’s purely a cricketing decision.
“There is not a member of the team that would have an issue with Cam playing, we certainly don’t have an issue with it. I’d be disappointed if people were looking to that as a reason. All I can do is reiterate to you and to Cam that’s not the case; never has been, and never will be.”
“Cam’s record over the last couple of years has been phenomenal and it’s made this decision really challenging, a line-ball call,” Bailey said. “He is banging down the door. Think there’s a number of players who are banging down the door and that’s great.
“As excited as Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green are, you know there’s always guys on the other side of the coin who are shattered and who are working their backside off. All those guys know what it’s like to be part of that Test team, all of them are striving to get back there…and there will be opportunities going forward.
“And there’s no doubt that part of cricket selection is being in the right place at the right time, playing at close to your best at the right time. In that respect I certainly feel for Marcus Harris as well, whose been on a number of tours, in some respects was unlucky to get dropped last time he was playing Test cricket. I imagine it’s hollow for those guys at the moment, but it’s the age old thing of you have to keep doing what you are doing.”