Singapore-born Tim David’s rapid rise through the cricket ranks has continued after being named in Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup squad.
After being bought by the Mumbai Indians for a whopping $1.53 million in this year’s Indian Premier League auction, David has chosen to be part of Australia’s T20 title defence on home soil.
The towering all-rounder, who was raised in Perth after being born in Singapore, is the only surprise inclusion for the tournament and a quick trip to India in September.
Legspinner Mitchell Swepson has been overlooked after heading to the UAE last year as Australia won their first T20 World Cup.
“This is a similar squad to that which became the first Australian’s men’s team to win a T20 World Cup who are now very excited about playing the tournament at home,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.
“Mitchell Swepson was unlucky to miss out based on conditions in the UAE at the last World Cup where we planned for tired, spinning wickets compared to what we would expect are good batting conditions along with the larger grounds in Australia.
“Tim (David) continues to establish himself with some quality performances in leagues around the world, earning a place in the squad.
(Photo Getty Images)
“He is a highly gifted, natural ball striker who will add extra batting depth to the group which has had a lot of success in T20 cricket.
“We expect him to play a similar role to that he has been playing in the past few years.”
David, who has made a name for himself in the Big Bash League with Hobart Hurricanes, has already had a taste of international cricket.
The 26-year-old played 14 T20Is for Singapore in 2019 and 2020, averaging 46.5 with the bat.
Veteran opener David Warner will miss the three T20s in India in preparation for a busy summer of cricket, with young all-rounder Cameron Green included in his place.
Concerns are growing yet again around captain Aaron Finch’s form and says footwork patterns but he’s been backed to turn it around by Bailey.
Finch has played 10 ODIs in 2022 and scored 159 runs at an average of only 15.9, while his strike-rate (73.95) is also the lowest it’s ever been during his career.
“Finchy’s record over his entire career is a pretty incredible one,” Bailey said on Thursday. “He’s the leader of the team and I think you’d be a very brave person to write him off. Very excited for him to lead his team in a home World Cup which is pretty special.”
In their opening two one-dayers of the summer in Townsville, Finch has registered just 16 runs across two innings against Zimbabwe. The 35-year-old says front-foot patterns to begin his time at the crease has hindered his batting.
“When I get a bit heavy there it starts to affect the rest of my game,” Finch noted. “I feel as though that’s coming along really well. The rewards will be there very soon, just hasn’t happened just yet.
“I know that I’ve got the full support of the players and the coaching and selection staff so I’m working hard on my game. It just hasn’t quite flowed yet.
“It just comes down to giving yourself a bit of time and hopefully getting a big one shortly.”
AUSTRALIA: Aaron Finch (capt), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Dinesh
Guest
Aus selection only 13 members Why select for Smith and finch wasted of balls in t20 this member not selected local teams but selected national team super selection aus team Pls change selections policy
The Knightwatchmen who say Nii
Roar Rookie
I don't understand the Australian selectors these days - they just refuse to make the important calls. The call on Finch needs to be made now, not on the eve of the world cup next year. A year out from the 2003 world cup, the selectors rightly culled the over the hill Waugh twins, who had previously been outstanding players, and we didn't miss them. They were 36-37 at the time - how old is Finch now?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And l think he's definitely missed a substantial International Career
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Not a bad idea.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Glenn is good at that. It's quite a skill.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I rate Zampa, but I think part of his appeal is down to the fact that he's a legspinner, despite the fact that Agar spins it in the same direction from the batter's perspective. They work well in the same line-up, but only Agar can effectively open the bowling. I guess it's a good problem to have.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I think Agar is a fine T20 bowler. Zampa does "ok", but at best he is holding down a position without, mostly, ever being a key contributor. I can't see Agar offering any worse outcomes than Zampa, but he may well do better. So for mine there is only upside playing Agar ahead of Zampa. Plus Agar's batting.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Any thoughts on whether Australia can or should find a spot for Agar? I know Maxwell, Marsh, Stoinis, and even Smith can provide 4 overs between them, but they'd be targeted by other teams.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I agree. Finch has been great, and I'd love him to come good, and he may well do so, but the selectors don't have the luxury of giving him more time in a World Cup year.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I've been a strong supporter of Finch over the journey for Australia in both ODI and T20, but his material contributions in the last 1-2 years are coming at 1 every 6-8 innings. That's in the realms of (worse than) Russian Roulette - and we shouldn't be playing Russian Roulette with a T20 WC defence on the line. IMO it's time he moved aside so the side can be rebalanced for the future and the many available longer-term options be provided with the opportunity to develop their contributions for Australia - especially in T20.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Maxwell would be a good option as opener, but he's more important to Australia down the order when you MUST be scoring from the first ball you face.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Does anyone think Finch will come good by then? If not, we need to work out our best 11 without him. Hopefully the selectors do exactly that rather than making panicked changes mid-World Cup
Marcus
Guest
If Finch isn’t playing, I’d go with Maxwell to open and captain. His record as an opener is really good.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I don't mind that. Finch is a great captain, but one would have to think in a T20 that there are enough options on and off field, to balance up Finch's leadership absence vs a better line up.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
After Australia comes home from their 3 match India tour, they also have 2 matches against Windies at home (QLD), followed by 3 matches v England at home (Perth and Canberra), before the WC starts. All within 3 weeks unbelievably. So hopefully 8 matches will be a sufficient lead in to the WC.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Honestly not completely against that call.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Can we arrange a couple more tournaments before the world cup aside from the India one? Agar is an elite T20 bowler, but doesn't get in ahead of Zampa and the three quicks, and is utterly unsuited to coming in at 7. Australia need to try again with Agar in the top 3, at the expense of Smith or Finch, playing the anchor role. Either that or Cummins has to play a Suril Narine role. Something like: 1 Warner 2 Agar 3 Marsh 4 Wade 5 Stoinis 6 Maxwell 7 David 8 Cummins 9 Starc 10 Hazelwood 11 Zampa
JGK
Roar Guru
Wade to open and captain and Inglis to keep.
JGK
Roar Guru
Agree re Smith. Focus on red ball cricket - we have tours to India and England in the next 12 months. They are more important than all white ball matches combined.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
Finch isn't watching the ball or can't see it. That has been blindingly obvious for awhile. His experience is carrying him through as he has been there done that. He should take one straight step forward and swing down the line. It worked for Shewag.