Tim David has created history by being named in the Australian Twenty20 squad without ever playing state or national cricket.
His selection comes as Australia’s white ball captain Aaron Finch continues to struggle, failing twice with tentative dismissals during two easy one-day victories against Zimbabwe in Townsville.
David, a T20 specialist, will be an uncontracted player on match payments, giving him the freedom to remain a T20 gun for hire in domestic leagues around the world.
So successful has the Singapore-born, Perth-based heavy hitter been at the game’s shortest form that he secured a $1.5 million deal in the most recent IPL, vastly more than the $316,000 minimum retainer as one of Australia’s 20 contracted players.
Singapore-born David, who was raised in Perth, has been included at the expense of leg spinner Mitchell Swepson, who was part of the squad which won the T20 World Cup for the first time, beating New Zealand in the final in Dubai last year.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey said David had continued to establish himself with some quality performances in leagues around the world.
T20 specialist Tim David hits out for Southern Brave last month during The Hundred tournament in England.Credit:Getty
“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,” said Bailey.
“We expect him to play a similar role to that he has been playing in the past few years.”
The side will travel to India for three T20 internationals in September before returning home to play the West Indies, England and India leading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which begins with Australia meeting New Zealand at the SCG on October 22.
While national coach Andrew McDonald has previously declared Finch, 35, a certain starter for the World Cup after leading Australia to their first T20 title last year, the veteran’s form continues to be a concern, with scores of 15 and 1 in the current series.
The skipper made consecutive ducks in his last two starts against Sri Lanka and hasn’t made a century since 2020. He has scored just one half-century in 2022.
Pat Cummins returns to play after resting from the ODI series against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in North Queensland while Adam Zampa returns to the T20 squad following the birth of his son Eugene.
David Warner will miss the Indian tour as part of a managed period of preparation for a full summer schedule. Cameron Green has been included in the squad for the Indian tour.
Australian Men’s T20 World Cup Squad: Aaron Finch (c), 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.
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