Uncapped Tim David headlines Australia’s T20 World Cup squad

Australia has unveiled its squad for next month’s T20 World Cup campaign, with an uncapped bolter earning a national call-up.

Aaron Finch of Australia lifts the ICC World T20 Trophy with teammates. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Australia has unveiled its 15-player squad for next month’s T20 World Cup campaign, with Hobart Hurricanes batter Tim David earning a long-awaited national call-up.

Aaron Finch’s men will look to retain the trophy on home soil this summer after becoming T20 world champions for the first time in the United Arab Emirates last year.

The Aussies have made one change to its triumphant squad from last year’s tournament, with David replacing Queensland leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson.

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

“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 in a statement.

“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. 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 in recent times.

“We expect him to play a similar role to that he has been playing in the past few years.”

As reported by The Age, David will represent Australia as an uncontracted freelancer on match payments, affording him greater latitude to play short-format leagues overseas.

The T20 globetrotter is on the verge of joining an illustrious list of cricketers, headlined by David Warner, to make their Australian debut before playing any first-class cricket.

David, who has represented Singapore in 14 T20 internationals, has been one of the most destructive short-format cricketers over the past couple of years, plying his trade in several domestic tournaments including the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League and Caribbean Premier League.

The 26-year-old, who was born in Singapore but raised in Western Australia, was purchased by the Mumbai Indians for a whopping AU$1.53 million at this year’s IPL auction, earning larger bids than Australian superstars Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh.

David scored 186 runs for Mumbai this year, averaging 37.20 with the bat at a strike rate of 216.27 — nobody scored more IPL runs in 2022 at a better strike rate.

The powerful right-hander, who averages a boundary every 4.5 balls, became just the third cricketer to finish an IPL campaign with more than 100 runs and a strike rate greater than 200, joining short-format legends Brendon McCullum and Andre Russell.

Tim David of the Hurricanes. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

David’s ability to clear the boundary rope without soaking up deliveries at the crease is invaluable, and national selectors would be tempted to slot him into the starting XI at the expense of Steve Smith or Marcus Stoinis.

The prospect of David and Australian stalwart Glenn Maxwell joining forces in the middle-order is a mouth-watering prospect for any cricket fan.

“He’s become really consistent in that role which is really tough to do for a finisher-type player, a power hitter,” Australian white-ball captain Finch told reporters in Townsville on Thursday.

“I think that would be the role. There’s plenty of flexibility in our squad though.

“Over the last two years he’s shown his ability, especially at that number five, six or seven role.

“It’s a role within T20 cricket that’s so sought after in the world now, there’s not a huge amount of people who have that ability.

“The form that he’s been in over the last couple of years has been outstanding.

“His power, first and foremost is really impressive, but he’s the overall package with some with some handy off-spin overs and good in the field (too).”

Speaking to reporters in July, the legendary Ricky Ponting backed David to flourish in Australian colours, comparing the uncapped cricketer to a former teammate.

“The way he’s transformed his game over the last couple of years is quite remarkable,” the Hurricanes’ Head of Strategy said.

“He’s been incredible in almost every tournament that he’s played around the world in the last 12-18 months.

“He’s a very good, very dangerous T20 player.

“If I was a selector, I would love to have someone like that in my team … he’s an out-and-out match-winner. He’s the sort of player that can actually win you a World Cup.

“He actually reminds me a bit of Andrew Symonds back in the 2003 World Cup. You know that if you get him in and give him an opportunity that they’re a chance of winning the tournament for you.

“I know there’s some other great world-quality players in the middle order for Australia, but probably none of them boasts a resume as good as Tim’s over the last two years.”

Tim David’s selection to Australia’s T20 World Cup squad is further proof of the different pathways emerging in world cricket for players to make it to their national teams. Surely there’ll be more like him to come. And it’s a good thing #T20WorldCup

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) August 31, 2022

What a 2022 for allrounder Tim David.

After getting a million-dollar IPL deal, David has now been selected in Australia's squad for the T20 World Cup

— Oliver Caffrey (@ollycaffrey) August 31, 2022

Speaking ahead of Lancashire‘s semi-final against Yorkshire in the T20 Blast, David said he’d love the opportunity to help Australia defend its title at the T20 World Cup on home soil, but accepted there might not be a spot for him in the starting XI at this stage.

“International cricket is a different beast,” he said in July.

“They won the World Cup eight months ago and that team hasn‘t changed since then.

“Those guys have been playing for Australia for a long time, but if I had the opportunity to be a part of it, I‘d be thrilled and really excited.

“I‘m not really thinking about it too much, to be honest … I just want to keep trying to improve and have fun. If I get there or I’m around at that time, then that would be awesome.”

Australia’s T20 World Cup campaign gets underway at the SCG on Saturday, October 22 with a grand final rematch against New Zealand.

Australia’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