David, the Singapore-born middle-order batter who has made a name for himself in T20 leagues around the world, including the BBL, comes into the Australia set-up from outside the national or state contract system. His only current deal in the Australian game is with Hobart Hurricanes and he has previously played 14 T20Is for Singapore.
"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," national selector George Bailey said. "We expect him to play a similar role to that he has been playing in the past few years."
He had been in line for a place in the T20I squad to face Sri Lanka last season, but after discussions with the selectors it was decided he would be allowed to take up his deal with Multan Sultans in the PSL where he was guaranteed game time, rather than the possibility of carrying drinks for Australia.
David finished the PSL with 278 runs at 39.71 and an eye-watering strike-rate of 194.40 which further cemented his standing as one of the best finishers in the world. While that tournament was ongoing, he earned a AU$1.5 million deal with Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
"It's a different journey, there's no doubt about that which is really exciting," Bailey said. "It's unique for a number of things. It's really challenging for players to just be a franchise cricketer without having a base or a support network. You might see it more and more, but there's some challenges being just a franchise cricketer as well."
Overall in T20 cricket, he averages 32.48 with a strike rate of 164.12. Of the 11 players to have batted at least 20 times at No. 5 or below in T20 since the start of 2021, David has comfortably the highest strike-rate of 164.56, ahead of Kieron Pollard in second place. Although his form has tailed a little for Southern Brave in the Hundred, after having an impact in the T20 Blast for Lancashire, it was all but inevitable he would be included in the World Cup squad.
"There's not a huge amount of people who has that ability around the world," captain Aaron Finch said. "The form that he's been in over the last couple of years has been outstanding as well. He's someone who just continues to get better and...his power first and foremost is really impressive, but the overall package with some handy offspin overs and good in the field."
The key question facing the selectors now, though, is how David could fit into the final XI. Steven Smith, who was arguably the most under-pressure batter in the format, has been given the freedom to play a more attacking game since Andrew McDonald took charge earlier this year.
"I feel like when I'm playing good T20 cricket, I'm in that team for sure," Smith said earlier this week in Townsville. "The role I've been given the last couple of years is a kind of 'Mr Fix-It' role and that tag has been taken away from me now… and I felt like I could go out and play with a lot more freedom and not have any hesitation in the back of mind that I need to be a bit more reserved. I can just take the game on. If I want to smack someone for six first ball I'm able to do that freely."
After the matches in India between September 20-25 to start their final lead-in to the World Cup, Australia will face West Indies (two matches) and England (three matches) back at home in early October as well as other pre-tournament warm-up games ahead of starting against New Zealand, at the SCG, on October 22.
Australia squad for T20 World Cup: Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner*, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Tim David, Josh Inglis (wk), Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson (*Cameron Green replaces David Warner for India tour)
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo
#Mens #T20 #World #Cup
https://www.globalcourant.com/mens-t20-world-cup-2022-2/?feed_id=20195&_unique_id=6314a7a697d80
