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Singapore-born all-rounder Tim David has been named in Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup squad, while legspinner Mitchell Swepson has been omitted, Cricket Australia said on Thursday.
T20 specialist David, who was raised in Western Australia, burst into the spotlight in the Pakistan Super League last season and has become hot property as a finishing batsman in global leagues.
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For all latest news, follow The Daily Star’s Google News channel. “Tim continues to establish himself with some quality performances in leagues around the world, earning a place in the squad,” selector George Bailey said in a statement.
“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.”
Described as “an out and out match-winner” by Australia legend Ricky Ponting, David has forced his way into the national squad courtesy of a series of breathtaking performances in T20 leagues around the world.
“He’s the sort of player that could actually win you a World Cup,” Ponting said of the 26-year-old recently. “He’s not just the average run-of-the-mill guy that might just sneak into a squad … he actually reminds me a bit of someone like an Andrew Symonds back in the 2003 World Cup. You know if you get them in and you give him an opportunity, they’re a chance of winning a tournament for you.
“That’s how I’d be looking at him right now.
“I know there are some other great world-quality players in the middle order for Australia, but probably none of them boasts the resume as good as Tim’s over the last two years.”
David is the only notable inclusion in the squad for Australia’s World Cup defence on home soil starting in October.
“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,” added Bailey.
The Aaron Finch-captained squad will travel to India for three T20 Internationals in September before returning home to play the West Indies, England and India leading into the World Cup.
Key batsman David Warner will miss the Indian tour as part of a “managed period of preparation”, Cricket Australia said, while Cameron Green will join the squad for the Indian T20 Series.
Australia T20 World Cup squad:
Aaron Finch (captain), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Tim David, Josh Inglis, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson.
Australia’s T20 fixtures prior to the World Cup:
September 20 vs. India (Mohali)
September 23 vs. India (Nagpur)
September 25 vs. India (Hyderabad)
October 5 vs. West Indies (Gold Coast)
October 7 vs. West Indies (Brisbane)
October 9 vs. England (Perth)
October 12 vs. England (Canberra)
October 14 vs. England (Canberra)
