Key Points

Tim David fulfilled a childhood dream by smashing Australia's fastest T20I century against West Indies. The power-hitter transformed his usual finisher role, coming in during powerplay to dominate with 37-ball ton. David credited teammate Mitch Owen for guidance during his record-breaking innings. The 29-year-old revealed his recent focus on shot selection over brute power paved way for this historic performance.

Key Points: Tim David Achieves Childhood Dream With Record Australia T20I Ton

  • Tim David scored fastest T20I ton for Australia in just 37 balls
  • Partnered with Mitch Owen in 128-run stand during chase
  • Overcame early pressure at 65/3 with flawless shot selection
  • Credits recent practice focus on decision-making over pure power
3 min read

I don't play for records but...,: David reveals his mindset while trying to achieve childhood dream

Tim David smashes fastest T20I century for Australia against West Indies, fulfilling childhood dream while crediting teammate Mitch Owen

"I don't play for records, but certainly I didn't think I'd get the opportunity to score hundred for Australia - Tim David"

Basseterre, July 26

Australia's Tim David revealed that, although he doesn't play for records, the thought of scoring a hundred for his nation did cross his mind, which was a bit of "foreign territory" for him.

At 29, David eagerly waited for his maiden ton in Australian colours, and the opportunity finally presented itself on Firday night in Basseterre. He had a reputation for playing the finisher's role to its full potential, but in the third T20I against the West Indies, he transcended beyond that capacity.

He came out to bat in the powerplay for just the third time in his career and blazed his way to the fastest T20I hundred for Australia, achieving the feat in a mere 37 deliveries. His boundary-hitting fest left the Caribbean side bamboozled, mowed down the 215-run target and paved the way for a record six-wicket triumph.

"I don't play for records, but certainly I didn't think I'd get the opportunity to score hundred and it is your childhood dream to score hundred for Australia. That was definitely in the back of my mind, and the position I've been playing, I probably played a lot of T20 matches now, and obviously I've never scored a hundred, so it was a little bit of foreign territory for me for a little bit," David said as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.

He raised a 128-run stand for the fourth wicket with Mitchell Owen, who played a belligerent, unbeaten cameo of 36(18). David thanked Owen for helping him through his history-shaping knock.

"But I'm just really thankful I had Mitch Owen out there, who's scored a couple recently, and my younger teammate, but he's certainly had the experience and helped me through," he added.

David clobbered the notion around his batting style with his flawless shot selection. He got off to the mark with a boundary off his ball when Australia were under serious pressure at 65/3. Mitchell Marsh chewed up a couple of deliveries, Cameron Green went for a wild swing, and both missed the mark while trying to keep the hefty run rate in check.

The 29-year-old, on the other hand, respected the threatening lines and punished those who missed the mark slightly. His lone dot delivery came when he was 19 off 8, but that moment served as the triggering point. In the same over, he tonked the ball for four towering maximums off Gudakesh Motie.

"I've spent a lot of time practicing my power-hitting, and to be honest, now I'm trying to focus on shot selection. Because that power game is always there, and it's what I built my game around, it's important to make the right decisions at the right time, and obviously, if you bat for a length of balls without getting out, then you get a chance to make big scores," David said in the post-match presentation.

"A lot of the practice I've been doing recently over the past six months has helped a lot. It's about shot selection and not actually trying to hit it too hard. And it felt tonight like I wasn't trying to hit it too hard, and it probably ended up with some good percentage of being able to hit the ball over the ropes," David said in the post-match press conference.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
His humility is refreshing! "I don't play for records" - says the man who just created one. This is the kind of sportsmanship we should teach our young cricketers in India.
R
Rohit P
Bahut badhiya batting! But I wonder why BCCI isn't scouting players like him for IPL? We need this kind of firepower when playing against Australia in future series.
S
Sarah B
While I appreciate his performance, I feel the article focuses too much on individual achievement. Cricket is a team sport - the partnership with Owen was equally crucial in this victory.
V
Vikram M
37-ball century is no joke yaar! This shows how T20 cricket is evolving. Our Indian team better prepare well before the next World Cup, Australia looks dangerous with players like David.
K
Kavya N
His focus on shot selection rather than just power hitting is a great lesson for all young cricketers. Talent + smart cricket = success! 🇮🇳 Hope our coaches are paying attention.

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