'Looking forward to the back end of the tournament,' David hints at missing initial stage of T20 WC
Colombo, Feb 7
Australia's explosive batter Tim David, who is returning to the side for the T20 World Cup 2026 after missing the Pakistan tour, hinted that he is likely to miss the group stage matches, as the team management wants him to be fully fit for the later stages of the tournament.
David suffered a hamstring injury that cut short his Big Bash League (BBL) season. He has been cleared to play the World Cup after recovering well during rehabilitation.
After smashing sixes all around the Colombo Cricket Ground, including onto the roof of the Gymkhana Club lounge behind the sightscreen, during Australia's training session, David told cricket.com.au that he felt pretty strong but was aware that he may be managed during the group stage.
"I wanted to bat a bit longer, but they just said, 'Hold your horses for a bit'. There are some management thoughts going around with the (medical staff), but it's pretty strong, and I'm looking forward to the back end of this tournament," he said after the practice session.
David, who will bat in the middle order in the World Cup, also spoke about the spin problem Australia faced during the Pakistan tour and how to tackle it in the World Cup.
"It obviously comes with responsibility that in this tournament I'll be batting through the middle, and it's important that we keep going with the same intent against the spin bowling that we're most likely going to face," he said.
David has scored 1596 runs in 58 matches he has played so far for Australia in T20. The right-handed batter has nine fifties and one century to his name. David has also hammered 101 sixes and 126 fours.
The 2021 World Cup champions, Australia, will start their campaign in the multinational tournament on February 11 against Ireland, and they will then clash with Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Oman on February 13th, 16th, and 20th, with the top two teams of their group to progress to the Super Eight phase.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Hamstring injuries are tricky. Hope he's fully recovered and doesn't break down again. As an Indian fan, I want to see the best players on the field when we (hopefully) face Australia in the later stages. No excuses for either side!
He's talking about tackling spin? Good luck with that on Sri Lankan pitches against quality spin attacks. Our Indian batsmen are masters of playing spin, Australia will struggle in the middle overs without someone like Maxwell.
Respectfully, this strategy feels a bit arrogant. Treating group stage matches as a given is how champions get knocked out early. Every match matters, and team momentum is important. Just ask the 2007 Indian team.
David hitting sixes onto the club roof in practice! Scary power. But practice is one thing, match pressure is another. Let's see if he can do it against Bumrah or Arshdeep in a high-pressure semi-final. 🏏
His stats are impressive - 101 sixes! But World Cup in subcontinent conditions is a different ball game. Power alone won't work, need smart cricket. Australia is always a threat though, can't write them off.
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