T20 World Cup: Australia selection news and updates

David Warner has some advice for his opening T20 partner Cameron Green - stop swinging so hard and tone it back a bit.

Cameron Green (R) not expected to take part in the World Cup. Picture: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP

David Warner has reminded young opening partner Cameron Green he doesn’t have to be a Kamikaze Kid to succeed as Twenty20 opener.

Green has a curious presence in the Australia set-up because he is not in the squad for this month’s T20 World Cup but, for two matches in succession against the West Indies, has opened the batting with Warner.

Something is cooking. It would be utterly pointless playing Green, never mind giving him the coveted opening spot, at this crucial late stage if he is no chance of playing in the World Cup.

It appears if all-rounder Marcus Stoinis struggles to bowl in the next games against England and is ruled out of the squad Green will be promoted.

Green stole the show with explosive innings of 61 and 52 in India last month but has found it more difficult to play the haymaker in Australia.

He opened fire at all four balls he faced against the West Indies on Friday, skying a catch off his final ball.

“My only advice is he can maybe tone it back a bit,’’ said Warner, who provided the perfect illustration of the tempo he was talking about with a lively yet low risk half century.

“He is probably swinging too hard. He can probably go out and bat his normal way.

“He will find that tempo. It’s not easy to go out and think he can hit every ball for six. But he will learn that. And if he does and comes off … ’’

It appears Australia is thinking short and long term with Green’s inclusion.

“I think it is probably more about where he fits in if everyone is fit as well,’’ Warner said. “You have Maxwell, Stoinis, Tim David and Matthew Wade – so you have four guys who can finish.

“And you have a guy like Greeny with his size and stature. And he bowls. It is about what role he plays when me and Finch end up leaving.

“These are the perfect games to look at that. Obviously he has great defence against the new ball. ‘’

Warner admitted Tim David’s form had left the selectors with “a headache’’ following his smoking 42 off 20 against the West Indies.

“He has some incredible power,’’ Warner said.

“You don’t get these players every day. It’s going to be good for us. The selectors have a headache now I think.

“He has chosen to play the Twenty20 franchise circuit which is great for him, Now he is in our team it is godsend.‘’

DAVID PUTS THE SQUEEZE ON GOLIATH FOR WORLD CUP SLOT

Singapore slugger Tim David has put the blowtorch on selectors to bench superstar Steve Smith in this month’s World Cup after announcing himself as Australia’s new batting power force.

One of the most unusual and interesting Australian selections of recent times, David spanked 42 runs off 20 balls as Australia (6-178) beat the West Indies (8-147) in a T20 international at the Gabba.

Outstanding David Warner (75 off 41) was the class act of the contest and Mitchell Starc (4-20) predictably good with his finest T20 returns.

But David was the captivating crunch man who got tongues wagging.

This time three years ago David was about to play in a World Cup for his native Singapore. Now it will be Australia who gets to unleash the batting beast.

Tim David belted 42 off 20 balls as Australia defeated the Wests Indies at the Gabba. Picture: Patrick Hamilton/AFP

With a stand and deliver style Fox commentator Mark Waugh compared to a baseball slugger, the robust David captured the full attention of curious Australian fans who might not recognise him if they passed him in the street.

His dam-busting 4, 6, 6, 4 attack on rattled left-armer Obed McCoy, including a rasping pull into the upper deck of the grandstand, showed the type of thunderstorm he could be capable of in this month’s World Cup.

Earlier this year David knocked back an Australian debut to play franchise cricket. He has no Cricket Australia contract, has never played a first-class match and became a T20 journeyman after being overlooked by the West Australian contract system.

Yet this month he could unseat arguably Australia’s greatest batsman for 70 years … that’s T20 cricket folks.

Australia’s World Cup batting order remains a mystery but it is becoming clear Aaron Finch and Smith cannot be squeezed into the same team.

Steve Smith could be squeezed out to accommodate Tim David in the Australian team. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Smith (17 off 16) and Finch (15 off 19 batting at No 4) played at a similar tempo on Friday night with Smith in grave danger of missing out to David in the quest for high voltage attack.

It appears Finch is road-testing himself to see if he can handle No. 4 if, as expected, David plays.

Cameron Green is not in the World Cup squad but will be rushed in if Marcus Stoinis or any of the other all-rounders or bowlers are unfit.

Green opened for the second match in succession and swung hard at all four balls he faced before being dismissed for one.

Warner, who later quipped he was scared for his family in the grandstand when David was hitting sixes, reminded Australia they will need brains as well as brawn to win the World Cup when he combined both qualities in a superb innings.

All timing, poise and low risk improvisation, Warner looked totally at home as most others looked as if they were paddling in a leaky boat on a wicket yielding some seam and bounce.

David Warner top-scored for Australia with 75. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

The rudderless West Indies attack were all over the shop and clearly shaken by Warner’s bravado.

Warner noted the super-short 60m straight drive at the northern end and, like a Vulture from Vulture St, cleared it easily three times.

MAXWELL DROUGHT

Glenn Maxwell needs runs. Maxwell has made 1, 0, 6, 0 and 1 run out in a photo finish last night in a dry run stretching through this short series and last month’s contests in India.

Maxwell is not likely to be dropped but he needs runs to gain confidence for the supreme challenges waiting ahead in the World Cup.

SLOW START

Australia has learnt a lesson with this series that it cannot take fan support for granted.

After just 4000 fans attended the first match between the two sides at Metricon Stadium on Wednesday, there were just 6300 fans at the Gabba at the start of play.

While it may have essentially been a warm-up game for the World Cup it was a warning to Cricket Australia that the sports landscape in Australia is cluttered and even the major sports must sing for their supper.

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