Singapore-born David in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup

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ADDS Finch Quotes

Singapore-born star puncher Tim David was called up by Australia on Thursday for this year’s Twenty20 World Cup on home soil, the only change from the squad that won the tournament last year.

David’s stunning rise comes at the expense of leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, with the 26-year-old earning his chance after a series of headline-grabbing individual performances in domestic cricket.

“Tim continues to establish himself with some top-flight performances in leagues around the world and earns a place in the squad,” selection committee chairman George Bailey said of the Western Australia-raised midfielder.

“He is a highly gifted, natural ball striker who will bring extra depth to a group that has had a lot of success in T20 cricket.

“We expect him to play a role similar to what he has done in recent years.”

Right-hander David played 14 T20 for Singapore but may switch allegiances as he has Australian parents.

After his exploits in the Indian Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash League, he became one of the most sought-after finishers in short-form cricket in the world.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting is a big fan.

“He’s the kind of player that could actually get you a world championship,” Ponting said recently of David, who was signed by the Mumbai Indians at the 2022 IPL auction.

“I know there are some other great world-class mid-tier players for Australia but probably none of them have as good a CV as Tim has had over the last two years.”

While Swepson was key at the last World Cup on the rotating wickets in the United Arab Emirates and helped Australia to their maiden title with an eight-wicket win over New Zealand in the final, David will be of greater use in Australian batting conditions.

“We still really like Swepo’s skills, but it’s a different strategy,” explained skipper Aaron Finch why he was dropped.

“Last year’s UAE World Cup was in the back of the IPL that was played there and it was end-of-season wickets, tired wickets, we expected spin to be a big part.

“Here we are very happy with the three spinners we have in the squad – Zamps, Agar and Maxi cover us really well.”

Test captain Pat Cummins returns to the 15-man squad after being rested for the current ODI series against Zimbabwe and next week against New Zealand, while Adam Zampa is back in frame following the birth of his son.

“This is a similar squad to the first Australian men’s team to win a T20 World Cup, who are now very much looking forward to playing the tournament at home,” added Bailey.

The World Cup squad will travel to India for a three-game Twenty20 series in mid-September, save for opener David Warner, who will be rested, with all-rounder Cameron Green taking his place.

They then meet the West Indies and England at home in a 20-over format and build on their title defense in the eighth edition of the World Cup, which will be played across seven Australian venues.

The tournament begins on October 16, with Australia playing New Zealand on October 22 in Sydney.

Australia Squad: Aaron Finch (Captain), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa