Explaining Why Tim David Deserves A Permanent Spot In Australia’s ODI Setup

Tim David [Source: @bullerama_181/X.com]

Australia began their ODI tour of South Africa on August 19 with a disappointing defeat, stumbling badly in the opening match. Despite an unexpected bowling spell of 4/57 from Travis Head that helped restrict the Proteas to 296, South Africa’s spin attack, led by Keshav Maharaj, ruthlessly exposed Australia’s fragile batting lineup.

The middle order collapsed in alarming fashion, resulting in a 98-run loss that not only highlighted the flaws in Australia’s ODI setup but also underlined the absence of a key player who could have steadied the innings. Tim David.

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David, who is not in Australia's ODI squad for the tour, could have provided stability in the middle order and accelerated when needed, which makes a strong case for his inclusion. Hence, Australia, if they aim to maintain dominance in the 50-over format, must quickly realise the value David brings to the setup. 

Tim David Is The Man In Form

Tim David has been in red-hot form since the South Africa and West Indies T20Is. Against the West Indies, David scored a record-breaking 37-ball hundred following his form up to the South Africa T20I series, where he bagged scores of 83 and fifty at an average of 50.00. 

In T20Is, David boasts a strike rate of 168.71, and though he had limited exposure in ODI cricket, with his current form and ability to anchor an innings, he just might be the right guy to bet on for the 50-over format. Though he averages only 11.25 from his 4 ODI innings, to be fair, his last ODI game was two years back and he has worked upon himself to be a proven all-rounder for the Aussies in the shorter format of the game.

Fill The 'Strong Spin Attacker' Void In The Middle Order

Tim David's strength against spin in T20I cricket is more than impressive. He boasts 567 runs from his 42 innings while having an average of 47.2. He was dismissed only 12 times by bowlers, which makes his success rate against spinners 71.43%.

(Tim David's stats against spinners in T20Is)

As Australia's middle order collapsed in front of South Africa in the first ODI, a Tim David could have hindered the fall and chased down the target in place of Aaron Hardie or Josh Inglis. Notably, Tim David also boasts a strike rate of 160.6 against spinners, which justifies his firepower to counterattack in moments of pressure, as he did in the 3rd T20I vs the West Indies.

Can Chip In As All-Rounder

Though Tim David is not much of a bowler and does chip in occasionally, his part-time spin bowling can produce magic in sharp turning pitches and on overseas and subcontinental conditions. 

While Maxwell and Marnus Labuschagne are good options for Australia as spin-bowling all-rounders, Tim David, if given a chance, can prove his worth with the ball. Moreover, Maxwell and Labuschagne are also off form with the bat, which screams of David coming into the ODI setup as soon as possible.

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