Sydney, Jan 31: On the eve of the first T20I against India, Australia’s George Bailey admitted to being nervous about making his international debut both as a player and captain. Bailey is the first Australian since Dave Gregory (in the first Test match in 1877) to be named captain in his first international game in any format and he hopes to extend Australia’s winning streak in the two T20Is.

Excerpts from his pre-match press conference:

On whether he was suffering any nerves ahead of the first T20

I'm nervous about both [aspects ­– as a player and captain]. The playing aspect, you're always anxious to get out there and perform really well. Once I get my head around knowing the players as well as I can, captaincy will fall into place nicely. Being captain is about getting around the bowlers who I haven't met as much and knowing about their games and just working out exactly what they need as well.

On surprising a few with his appointment as Australia’s T20 captain

It wasn't me who picked the team. I'm just excited to be leading and continuing the great form and the great start of the summer that Australia have had.

On maintaining the winning momentum When you're playing for your country, I don't think you'll take it easy on them this time. Every game is about having your foot on their throat. Although it's a different format, I think it's important to continue the momentum of the Test team not only in the cricket they play but also the standards they're setting off the field, the way they're training and the great feel around the group.

On how familiar both teams are with the players of the opposing team

We had a little chat before about a lot of their players and nearly everyone in that room has played at some stage with those Indian players. We've seen a lot of them over the years and they're probably feeling the exact same way. That's been one of the great things about the IPL. There's probably not as many secrets there as you would like between two international teams but what you have is healthy respect for how each other play and a real knowledge for the contest you're about to be in.

On his individual goals in the series I'd like to be scoring as many runs as I can. That's the part of the greediness of being a batsman. Over four or five years of Twenty20 cricket, my record stands up against anyone. I don't know if I've put my own stamp on it but I'm here as captain. It's my team. I'm trying to do things the way I like to do them. The beauty is I get along very well with Mickey [Arthur]. We have a very similar outlook on things.

On his plans for the future of the T20 team

It's a real challenge when you aren't together much. We're trying to galvanise this group and let them know there's a World Cup in six months and we're the 14 that have got the first crack to prove we should be there. […] We know we won't get that Twenty20 group together all that often; up until the World Cup in six months' time, we've got six games.

On the challenge of being consistent in the T20 format

I think that's the hardest thing to be in a Twenty20 team. The thing I'm really excited about is we've got a group which is full of match-winners [and] they are pretty consistent match-winners. It's not too sporadic or hit and miss. It's a bit of a fluke game. You do need a slice of luck to go your way but as they say, the harder you work the luckier you get. On how he prepares for a T20 game

My personal feeling with Twenty20s is just to prepare really meticulously and though it's a really short game, you've got to have plans A, B and C up your sleeve and not be suddenly standing in the middle scratching your head wondering, ‘What am I going to do now?’ A key part of that is to get to know the bowlers. I'm lucky to have played with three or four of them and know their games really well. There's a couple I'm still learning about but that's the real exciting part of it as well. On Brett Lee

I think his numbers in the most recent Big Bash were outstanding especially for someone who bowls in key periods at the top in that Powerplay and then at the death. He embraces that role as the frontline fast bowler in our team and his experience is outstanding. The thing I love about him is how competitive he is. He just loves the contest and loves to lead from the front.