Australia batter Tim David in World Cup contention after maiden ODI call-up

Durban: Australia have made a late addition to their ODI squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, and added a dynamic middle-order option to their line-up.

This puts the young batter in contention for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.

The Singapore-born Tim David provides an added option in Australia's middle-order.

The 27-year-old is yet to make his debut in the ODI format, but has impressed in the shortest

format of the game. He has scored 804 runs at an average of 38.28 and a strike-rate of 163.41.

His latest exploit in the opening T20I against South Africa, where he scored 64 off merely 28 balls, in a 111-run win for Australia had grabbed eyeballs. Arriving in at 77/4, David joined skipper Mitchell Marsh for a 97-run stand, which came off merely 50 balls.

David hit seven fours and four sixes during his scintillating knock.

Marsh spoke of David's importance to the Australia team after the game.

"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," Marsh said.

"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," he said.

David's addition boosts the middle-order in the absence of regular options. Steve Smith, missing out due to a wrist injury, and Glenn Maxwell, absent because of a wrist injury and the impending the birth of his first child, are unavailable for the South Africa ODIs.

This has provided David an opportunity to impress in the 50-over format. Though he hasn't featured in a List A game in almost two years, David averages an impressive 82.77 at a strike-rate of 123.14.

His biggest selling point is the ability to conjure fireworks as a finisher.

Australia selector Tony Dodemaide believes David's inclusion provides them with an added option at the back end of the innings.

"Tim is already here for the T20 series which offers an opportunity to see how his game can translate to the one-day format," Dodemaide said. "He will provide an extra option for us in that power role at the back end of an innings."

The five-match ODI series will take place from September 7 to 17.

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Marnus Labuschagne, Tanveer Sangha, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa. (UNI)