Australia vs New Zealand T20 series news, Aussie batting order for World Cup, Tim David, Mitchell Marsh press ...

Tim David looms as one of Australia’s most crucial figures ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup, with captain Mitchell Marsh predicting the 27-year-old will play a big part in the marquee tournament.

Since making his Australian debut in September 2022, David has cemented his spot at No. 6 in the national T20I side, serving as the team’s middle-order finisher. He has been the team’s leading run-scorer during that period with 448 runs at 32.00, while his career strike rate of 169.05 ranks as the highest among Australians that have played at least 20 men’s T20Is.

During the recent T20 series against the West Indies, David clobbered 109 runs while striking at 218.00, the highest figure for an Australian in a bilateral T20I series, without being dismissed once.

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David has an uncanny knack for clearing the boundary rope early in an innings, only needing a handful of deliveries to heap pressure back on the opposition. Speaking to reporters in Wellington on Wednesday, Marsh praised the West Australian for his recent success despite taking on “the hardest role in T20 cricket”.

“Players like Tim are a rarity,” Marsh said.

“We’re lucky to have him. Over the last couple of years, his life has changed.

“He’s become a phenomenal player in that role, and there’s no doubt he’s going to play a big part for us.”

David, who represented the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, does not have a state cricket contract, earning national selection on the back of stellar performances on the global T20 circuit. After this week’s T20 series against New Zealand, the West Australian will join the Mumbai Indians on a $1.53 million contract for the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League.

Most men’s T20I runs for Australia since September 2022

448 – Tim David

438 – Mitchell Marsh

400 – Glenn Maxwell

383 – David Warner

346 – Matthew Wade

328 – Marcus Stoinis

265 – Aaron Finch

252 – Josh Inglis

209 – Travis Head

156 – Matthew Short

151 – Steve Smith

137 – Cameron Green

Meanwhile, Marsh has confirmed that Travis Head and David Warner will form Australia’s opening partnership for Wednesday evening’s series opener against New Zealand in Wellington. However, the likes of Steve Smith ands Josh Inglis are expected to be given an opportunity to push their case for T20 World Cup selection against the Black Caps this week.

“Our top order is pretty set moving forward,” Marsh declared.

“I’ve batted No. 3 for the last 18 months, so I’ll be there.

“Head and Warner have been amazing for us over the last period of time.

“I dare say that will be the top three.”

Marsh, who will lead his country during this week’s three-match series against New Zealand, reiterated that national selectors have yet to decide who will captain Australia at this year’s T20 World Cup.

“I can’t wait to tell (Pat Cummins) what to do,” Marsh laughed.

“I more so just feel pretty lucky to have someone like Pat as another leader in the group to fall back on.

“The experience we’ve got will help me at certain times throughout the series.”

The first T20 between New Zealand and Australia gets underway at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on Wednesday at 5pm AEDT.