‘This is wild’: Tim David’s explosive cameo creates T20 World Cup selection headache

Tim David has booked his spot in Australia’s starting XI for the T20 World Cup, creating a headache for a national selectors.

Tim David of Australia. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Tim David has booked his spot in Australia’s starting XI for the T20 World Cup with an explosive cameo during Friday evening’s contest against the West Indies in Brisbane.

The powerful right-hander, playing his fifth T20 in Australian colours, smacked 42 off 20 balls to help steer the hosts towards a healthy total of 7/178 at the Gabba.

David struck four consecutive boundaries from Obed McCoy’s third over, slapping the West Indies seamer over the mid-wicket rope for back-to-back sixes, the second of which travelled 110 metres.

Watch Australia v West Indies. Every T20 Live & Exclusive to Fox Sports on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The 26-year-old’s raw power and seamless ability to find the boundary rope makes him a crucial member of Australia’s squad ahead of the T20 World Cup.

“He’s just booked his tickets into the side,” former Australian batter Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

“He’s in, no doubt about it anymore.

“He hits the ball as clean as anyone could hit the ball.”

McCoy got the last laugh, however, trapping David on the front pad with a low full toss that evaded the inside edge.

Tim David smacked four boundaries and three sixes. Photo by Patrick HAMILTON / AFP

David was only at the crease for four overs, but he needed just 20 minutes to show the value of having a specialist big-hitting finisher at the crease at the death.

The Singapore-born cricketer had already proven his worth on the international stage with a ferocious 54 (27) against India in Hyderabad last month, but most Australian fans were asleep during the onslaught.

But it creates a headache for national selectors — one of Steve Smith or Marcus Stoinis will need to make way for David’s inclusion.

“It’s a godsend,” veteran opener David Warner told reporters in the post-match press conference.

“He’s an incredible player and he’s got some serious power. It boosts our middle order.

“Selectors have got a headache now I think.

“He’s an exciting player and he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

Channel 7 commentator Alister Nicholson tweeted: “Whether Tim David is in the Aus XI for the T20 World Cup shouldn’t even be up for debate.

“He’s a game changer. Has to play.”

Tim David just doing Tim David things.
This is wild. #AUSvWI

— Alex Fair (@AJFair85) October 7, 2022

Welcome to the Tim David era. #AUSvWI

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) October 7, 2022

Tim David going bananas@abcsport#Cricket

— Tom Wildie (@tomwildie) October 7, 2022

Surely Tim David @CricketAus is a certainty for the XI in the @T20WorldCup now.
What an X-factor 🏏

— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) October 7, 2022

Tim David's a gun player. No smoking gun in his armour yet. Sure, bowlers will find some weakness in time but we may well be witnessing the early years of a T20 behemoth.

— Ayan (@ayan_acharya13) October 7, 2022

West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran won the toss and elected to bowl first, and the visitors found an early breakthrough with paceman Alzarri Joseph removing the dangerous Cameron Green in the second over.

Australian captain Aaron Finch and Warner then took advantage of some sloppy bowling during the Powerplay, combining for an 85-run partnership for the second wicket.

Player of the Match Warner brought up his fifty in just 30 deliveries, while Finch departed in the 11th over for a sluggish 15 off 19 balls.

The skipper’s dismissal sparked a small collapse, with Warner and Glenn Maxwell falling in quick succession as Australia lost 3/5 in 13 deliveries.

Maxwell’s recent form is becoming a cause for concern, with the Victorian failing to reach double figures in his last five knocks.

Joseph finished with superb figures of 3/21 from four overs, leaking just six runs from the final over of Australia’s innings.

Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrates the wicket of Odean Smith. Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images

The West Indies fell 31 runs short in the run chase, with Australian quick Mitchell Starc claiming career-best figures of 4/20 to help the hosts secure a 2-0 series whitewash.

Opening batter Johnson Charles top-scored for the tourists with a sluggish 29 off 30 balls, while Akeal Hosein smacked four boundaries at the death.

Australia will next face England in the first of three T20s at Perth Stadium on Sunday, with the first ball scheduled for 7.10pm AEDT.