Former Australia wicket-keeper batter Adam Gilchrist reckons Tim David should be part of the Australia’S final XI in the upcoming T20 World Cup. David recently got a maiden call-up into the Australian squad and made his debut for the team in the first T20I against India at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.
David had earlier impressed with his pyrotechnics while playing for Singapore and in the T20 leagues across the globe. The right-hander scored a fine knock of 54 runs off just 27 balls in the third T20I at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad against India on Sunday.
Thus, David was able to muscle Australia to a par score of 186 runs as he batted at the top of his game. He scored two fours and four sixes in his blistering knock as he scored his runs at a strike rate of 200.
David is also part of the T20 World Cup squad for Australia and the series against India must have assured the team management that he deserves a place in the playing XI in the T20I showpiece.
“Tim David should have a place in that XI,” Fox Cricket commentator Gilchrist was quoted as saying by ICC. “His power and the way he has taken it on…and seeing what we have seen from him over the last 18 months all around the world, it is really in all different conditions and they (opposition teams) will fear him coming in.
“It is a role that Australia have never really tried to fill, having someone who knows they are only going to get 15 or 20 balls (to make an impact).”
Former Australian opener Mark Waugh had a similar opinion on David. “I have got Tim David in the XI at this stage,” Waugh said. “That could change with form, but that looks a pretty good side to me,” he added.
Gilchrist feels Marcus Stoinis will be under pressure to hold on to his place as David showed the right skills against India.
“Marcus Stoinis seems to be the man under pressure at the moment,” Gilchrist said. “But I think Tim David should have a place in that XI. Unfortunately, that best XI is going to have 12 players in it and I don’t know who I am going to leave out,” he added.
Adam Gilchrist’s best Australia XI: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Tim David, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
Mark Waugh’s best Australia XI: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
