IND vs AUS: Pat Cummins looking forward to X-factor Tim David’s Australia debut
IND vs AUS: Singapore-born Tim David is an X-factor in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad and pace spearhead Pat Cummins said he was looking forward to the all-rounder’s debut in Australian colours during the three-match series in India.
David, a T20 specialist who was born and bred in Western Australia, shot to fame in the Pakistan Super League last year and has since gained popularity as a hard-hitting finisher in international competitions.
David, 26, represented Singapore in 14 T20 international matches. In the three-match series, which begins on Tuesday in Mohali, he is expected to make his Australia debut because Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, two all-rounders on the touring team, are out due to injuries.
“It’s great to see Tim David get his chance,” fast bowler Cummins, who leads Australia in the Test format, told reporters on a video conference on Sunday. “He’s been right up there with the best in the world.
SOUND ON
Tim David whacking balls in Australian kit
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“Batting in the middle order of T20 cricket is a really tough spot. You see most of the run scorers opening, or batting top of the order. It’s really hard to be consistent coming in when there’s spin bowlers or at the end of the innings. I think he’s been fantastic.
“If he gets his chance, hopefully he can continue doing what he’s been doing in the domestic leagues around the world. I think he’s an X-factor. He just goes about it slightly differently so look forward to it.”
Australia will continue their home-court preparations for their T20 World Cup title defence against West Indies and England after the series against India. The event begins in less than a month.
Concerns have been raised about the captain Aaron Finch’s performance, as the opening batsman retired from the 50-over format after recording 31 runs in his last eight ODI innings against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe.
“Just the normal Aaron Fitch. He’s been great,” Cummins said of what he saw of Finch, after returning to the side having skipped Australia’s recent ODIs to manage his workload.
“I had a bit of a chat with him. He said he’s in a really good space. Even in the ODIs, he knew it was time in his own mind. So he seems fantastic again.
“It was only 12 months ago that he led us to a T20 World Cup victory. So he’s really raring to go and he’ll be a key player as he always is.”
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