T20 World Cup 2022: Champions Australia announce FINAL squad, THIS Mumbai Indians all-rounder is SURPRISE pick

Mumbai Indians had bought Tim David at the IPL 2022 auction for Rs 8.25 crore earlier this year.

Mumbai Indians all-rounder Tim David. (Source: Twitter)

Singapore-born all-rounder Tim David has been named in Australia’s Twenty20 World Cup squad, while leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson has been omitted, Cricket Australia said on Thursday. T20 specialist David, who was raised in Western Australia, burst into the spotlight in the Pakistan Super League last season and has become hot property as a finishing batsman in global leagues.

“Tim continues to establish himself with some quality performances in leagues around the world, earning a place in the squad,” selector George Bailey said in a statement. “He is a highly gifted, natural ball-striker who will add extra batting depth to the group which has had a lot of success in T20 cricket.”

David, who turned out for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022, is the only notable inclusion in the squad for Australia’s World Cup defence on home soil starting in October. “Mitchell Swepson was unlucky to miss out based on conditions in the UAE at the last World Cup where we planned for tired, spinning wickets compared to what we would expect are good batting conditions along with the larger grounds in Australia,” added Bailey.

World Cup squad assembled!

Here's the 15 who will represent our national men's team at the upcoming T20 World Cup and tour of India pic.twitter.com/DUgqUGWuyV — Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 31, 2022

The Aaron Finch-captained squad will travel to India for three T20 Internationals in September before returning home to play the West Indies, England and India leading into the World Cup. Key batsman David Warner will miss the Indian tour as part of a ‘managed period of preparation’, Cricket Australia said, while Cameron Green will join the squad for the Indian T20 Series.

Australia T20 World Cup squad:

Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Mitchell Marsh, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Tim David, Josh Inglis, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Kane Richardson

(with Reuters inputs)