T20 World Cup: Brutal axing that led Tim David on cricket odyssey

Tim David’s axing from the state system snuffed out his dream of wearing the baggy green but it also forced him to find a unique path to national honours.

Tim David has opened up about the interstate axing that prompted his unique journey to Australian T20 selection.

Speaking on the Gold Coast ahead of the team’s first clash against the West Indies at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday, the former West Australian representative acknowledged he had trodden a vastly different path to his new teammates.

While most grow up dreaming of donning the baggy green, David had to realise that was not an option for him and he needed to find another path if he was not to give up on his dream.

“When I was younger and I got released from the state system, I probably had to find a different way and I’ve been really fortunate to have opportunities and try and make the most of those opportunities,” he said.

Australia's Tim David plays a shot during the third Twenty20 international cricket match between India and Australia. Photo: AFP

“Obviously it’s a setback to be released from the professional environment in Australia.

“It gave me an opportunity to look at things and work on different skills and just try and have fun with it.”

The 26-year-old is not currently contracted to Cricket Australia and was noncommittal when asked whether he wanted to be tied to the governing body given it could hinder his freedom to pick and choose where and when he plays.

“I honestly haven’t thought about it at all,” he said.

“Contracts are nowhere near my thought process at the moment so I’m just happy playing wherever I can at the moment.

“To get the opportunity to play for Australia is awesome and to be playing in Australia now, I’m really looking forward to it.”

David represented Western Australia at under-23 level but never played a first class game for his state — something that would usually present a roadblock for higher honours.

But in heading overseas to take up one of the multitude of opportunities now open to players, he has shown there is a different route to the top, with his performances in Pakistan, England and the Caribbean eventually earning a spot in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad.

“There’s a lot of opportunities out there now in cricket and I think there’s different ways of going about it,” he said.

“To end up here in the squad for the World Cup is really exciting but I didn’t really set out that as a goal to be here.

“But to be in the group and try and add something for the team is really exciting.”

Tim David of Australia celebrates after scoring a fifty during game three of the T20 International series between India and Australia. Photo: Getty Images

It’s not necessarily the route for everyone though.

David has been home for just two weeks over the past 18 months having found his niche as a gun for hire.

“It’s a tough one because you’re by yourself, there isn’t a lot of support a lot of the time,” he said.

“Of course it’s an amazing opportunity and you get to experience different things.

“I’d encourage anyone to go out and play whatever cricket they can, whether they’re going to play in different countries or play locally.”

David could play his first international on home soil on Wednesday on Metricon’s drop-in pitch and is hoping to build on the form he showed in India where he finished with a half century in Australia’s game three loss.

“I think it’s nice to start off well in a new team and I suppose to be in this environment and try and contribute to the team’s success,” he said.

“We obviously want that to lead to wins but it’s nice to kind of feel like I’ve landed on my feet.”

Glenn Maxwell (left) and Tim David during an Australia T20 International Squad Training Session at Metricon Stadium. photo: Getty Images

Cricket’s new world order has also helped David settle in at international level given he has played with and against so many of his opponents.

“Just being around a lot of the guys that you’re playing against or playing with, it doesn’t feel like a massive step up,” he said.

“I’ve been playing T20 cricket for the last 18 months in a lot of different competitions, so it’s a natural step up.

“It’s not like I’m doing anything away from what I’ve been preparing for.”

Originally published as T20 World Cup: Brutal axing that led Tim David on cricket odyssey