(Source News18)
Prior to Australia’s T20 World Cup opener against Oman, all-rounder Tim David confessed to drawing inspiration from West Indies stalwarts such as Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, and Andre Russell to elevate his gameplay. He acclaimed these Caribbean stars as the epitome of ‘six-hitting prowess.’ Currently, the Australian team is undergoing training in Guyana in preparation for their upcoming match against Oman on June 6 (Indian Time) at Providence Stadium.
“When you think about six-hitting, you think about Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell – those Caribbean guys, they’re the kingpins of that territory. You watch them, you see how they go about it, how they play in the Caribbean. You don’t want to emulate them so to speak, but some inspiration and enjoyment is watching those guys play,” said David to cricket.com.au.
Following a standout season with the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, Tim David’s T20 career soared to new heights. Renowned as a reliable power-hitter, he ranks second globally in T20 sixes, trailing only behind Nicholas Pooran, boasting an impressive strike rate of 164.34. David’s proficiency in delivering impactful performances from the middle to lower order has addressed a longstanding void in Australian T20 cricket.
“When I commit to hitting boundaries, hitting sixes, that’s when I’ve been most effective and most destructive. When you’re going like that, you look at a (required) score, you might go, ‘right, it’s 24 off 12,’ and some people might say that’s 12 an over. But it’s four balls. So what’s a realistic amount of sixes I can hit from 12 balls?
“You can hit four sixes in four balls if you’re going really well. But to be realistic, you might miss a couple. I will try and finish it in sixes. I suppose that’s the method I’m most confident with,” he said.
David’s outstanding performance in the BBL propelled him onto the international T20 platform, resulting in a record-breaking IPL contract and selection in the Australian squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup. His remarkable journey includes participation in eight short-form domestic leagues, where he has represented the Mumbai Indians almost as frequently as the Hobart Hurricanes. Additionally, he has had successful stints with the St Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League.
Winning a World Cup, however, remains his ultimate goal. “You wouldn’t be necessarily satisfied with your career until you win a World Cup. That’s what you can hang your hat on. I wanted to play the final as well, but I wasn’t cleared (by Australia) to play that game,” he said.
“When I commit to something, I want to be a part of it. I want to win tournaments. The Aussie boys won the (2021) T20 World Cup at the Dubai stadium … playing finals cricket is what you spend all your energy on. That’s what you’ll look back on fondly,” he concluded.
