It’s a godsend: David Warner in awe of Tim David’s power-hitting ahead of T20 World Cup

Australia opener David Warner lauded Tim David’s fearless ability, saying that the former Singapore cricketer’s inclusion to the Australian side is a huge plus in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup.

Warner said he is in awe of Tim David’s explosive hitting skills, which he believes will make Aaron Finch’s Australia even more dangerous at the showpiece event, starting October 16.

Tim David had been making his name as a T20 globetrotter and his incredible power-hitting skills caught the attention of the cricket fraternity. Mumbai Indians handed him an Indian Premier League contract for Rs 8.25 crore and David did not disappoint, hitting 186 runs in 8 matches at a staggering strike rate of over 200.

The Australia call-up was never in doubt and Tim David got one in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup. The 26-year-old made his debut for Australia during their trip to India in September and he hit his maiden fifty (54 off 27) in the 3rd T20I against India in Hyderabad, smashing 4 sixes and 2 boundaries.

David followed it up with a match-winning 42 off just 20 balls in the 2nd T20I against the West Indies at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday, October 7. David’s late impetus helped Australia post a 178-run total despite the hosts losing steam in the middle overs after a David Warner fifty. Australia successfully defended the total and completed a 2-0 win of the T20I series.

“Now he’s in our team and our set-up, it’s a godsend.He’s an incredible player and he’s got some serious power. It boosts our middle order. With his height as well, and strength, it suits us that’s for sure,” David Warner said after Australia’s victory on Friday.

DAVID DILEMMA
David’s addition has certainly given selection headaches for the team management. The big-hitter is part of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad and will also feature in the upcoming 3-match T20I series against England at home.

With a series of power-hitters, including Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, queuing up for the finisher’s role, Warner believes the leadership group have a task in their hands to fit an in-form Tim David into the XI.

“Coming out and playing that role there when it was a hard wicket to start on really opens our eyes to ‘how do we utilise that? But even what he did for Mumbai (Indians, in the IPL), he got a couple of thirties or forties off eight or nine balls – it’s incredible.

“You don’t get these types of players every day.It’s going to be good for us moving forward and hopefully there’s a spot there as well, because the selectors have got a headache now.”

Australia will face England in the first of a 3-match T20I series in Perth on Sunday before the series heads to Canberra for the 2nd and 3rd T20Is.