NEWS
Follow UsHard-hitting middle-order batter Tim David has been added to Australia’s squad for the One-Day International series against South Africa. The 27-year-old, who has featured in 27 T20Is, is yet to make his debut in the 50-over format.
David has played 16 List A games, scoring 745 runs at an average of 82.77 and a strike rate of 123.14, studded with two centuries and five fifties. The right-handed batter was set to link up with Trinbago Knight Riders in the CPL after the T20I series but will now extend his stay in South Africa by a couple of weeks.
David slammed 64 off 28 deliveries in the first T20I on Wednesday (August 31), helping Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The five-match ODI series will be played from September 7 to 17.
"Tim is already here for the T20 series which offers an opportunity to see how his game can translate to the one-day format," said selector Tony Dodemaide said. "He will provide an extra option for us in that power role at the back end of an innings."
Meanwhile, Australia's stand-in skipper Mitchell Marsh added: "The great thing about Tim is he's very level-headed. He knows his role in T20 cricket can be inconsistent. But his ability to win us matches is why he's in this team and we've got full faith in that.
"I want him to play however he wants to play every game and I know that if he does that, he'll win us games. He's an outstanding asset for Australian cricket."
Australia will be without Pat Cummins (wrist injury), Steve Smith (wrist injury) and Glenn Maxwell (ankle injury and pending birth of his first child) in the ODI series, but are likely to be back for the ODI series in India next month.
