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The Australian national cricket team is looking to bring big-hitting finisher Tim David into the regular ODI setup to strengthen its batting following the retirement of Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis from the format. The addition of Tim David may give Australia additional strength in the middle order.
David is already an important part of Australia’s T20 setup. He is known for his clean hitting and ability to finish matches under pressure. The Singapore-born batsman was even tried in ODIs ahead of the 2023 World Cup to test his role in the 50-over format.
Andrew McDonald hints at Tim David’s ODI comeback, but the decision is entirely in the hands of the batsman
Nevertheless, David’s ODI future was uncertain as the explosive batsman has primarily focused more on T20 leagues around the world. Because of this, he is not currently a part of Australia’s regular ODI plans. But now things have changed with the retirement of Maxwell and Stoinis from this format.
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This has created a glaring gap in the lower middle order and Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has made it clear that Tim David is on his radar, but only if he is willing to play regular ODI cricket. McDonald revealed that David has not made himself available for the 50-over format and that is why he is not in their current plans.
Cricket.com.au quoted Andrew McDonald as saying, “It’s something we’re looking at. Tim hasn’t made himself available for ODI cricket yet amidst everything he’s been doing. But keep an open mind that it’s potentially a topic of conversation.”
Australia eye Tim David as dangerous finisher for ICC World Cup 2027
Nevertheless, Australia has not closed the door on him, as the head coach has stressed that if David decides to come back to ODI cricket, the team is ready to seriously consider him as a possible option for the No. 6 or 7 role in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2027.
McDonald further shared, “That would be something that would require TD to come to us and signal his intention to play one-day international cricket. We used him in the build-up to the last World Cup…TD was someone we thought could potentially play the number seven role. Would we be exposed there? Could Tim be part of that conversation? Maybe, but ultimately at this stage he’s not available for one-day international cricket.”
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Andrew McDonald sends clear message to Tim David over 2027 ICC World Cup spot
Although McDonald has made it clear that the Australian team management wants consistency from David for success in ODI cricket, he said that they do not want an occasional player in that important role. He will again have to spend time in the setup to adjust properly to the 50-over format.
Australia is set to play ODI matches against teams like Zimbabwe, South Africa and England later this year. But after that, they have a packed Test calendar till 2027. Therefore, David must have taken the decision to participate in the ICC World Cup 2027 soon, as everything is in his hands.
The coach signed off by saying, “You probably want some continuity for them in 50-over cricket, so you want some connections within the team at some point. I don’t know when that time is… you never say never.”
