‘You might not see them’: Glimpse into dreaded Aussie handover as new wave set to be unleashed

Former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian has called for Tim David to bat higher in the national T20 side following his record-breaking feats in the Caribbean.

The 29-year-old smacked a 37-ball century during last month’s third T20 against the West Indies in Basseterre, setting a new Australian record across formats.

Typically used as a pinch-hitter during the death overs, David has batted down at No. 6 in 27 of his 36 T20I knocks for Australia — but Julian believes the powerful right-hander deserves a promotion.

“I love the idea of Tim David coming up the order,” Julian told Fox Cricket.

“I’ve been saying for a couple of years that he should bat higher.

“I think he bats too low, he’s better than that, he’s better than a guy who faces 10-15 deliveries.”

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Julian predicted that Australia would trial a variety of top-order combinations for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa, which gets underway in Darwin on Sunday.

Travis Head and captain Mitchell Marsh are expected to open the batting, but Victoria’s Matthew Short and Tasmania’s Mitchell Owen could also fulfil the role if required.

Australia, coming off eight consecutive T20I wins, are building towards next year’s T20 World Cup in the continent, which gets underway in February.

“Every T20 tournament that you can play leading into the World Cup next year will be valuable,” Julian continued.

“(In bilateral series) we’re never going to see the full strength sides playing because you’ve got to rest players.

“But it just gives more opportunity for players to come in and see what they can do, and that’s a good thing.”

Tim David of Australia. Photo by Randy Brooks / AFP Source: AFP

Josh Hazlewood returns to the Australian squad after missing the T20 leg of the Caribbean tour, while Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have been rested as they prepare for the blockbuster home summer.

The star duo’s omission opens the door for fringe fast bowlers to press their case for higher honours, including the likes of Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett and Lance Morris.

Julian pointed out that national selectors are blooding the next generation of Australian quicks for when Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins decide to hang up the boots in white-ball cricket — which could happen as soon as next year.

“After the T20 World Cup next year in India, you might not see Starc, you might not see Cummins, you might not see Hazlewood,” Julian said.

“There’s a lot of gaps to be filled, and that’s what I think the selectors are trying to do, they’re trying to get as many cricketers in there (as they can).

“There’s lots of opportunities, I think there will be other players that stick their hands up from a bowling point of view.”

South Africa has only won six of their 17 most recent T20Is, but the Proteas squad features the likes of Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada. Meanwhile, Australia will be eager for revenge after South Africa bettered the reigning champions during June’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s

The first T20 between Australia and South Africa gets underway at Darwin’s Marrara Oval on Sunday at 7.15pm AEST. It will be Australia’s first match in the North Territory since 2008.

Warner & Broad reunite at Lords | 01:02

HOW TO WATCH

Each of the three T20Is and ODIs between Australia and South Africa will be shown live and ad-break free on Foxtel (Channel 501) and streaming platform Kayo Sports.

FIXTURES

All times AEST

Sunday, August 10 — First T20I, Marrara Stadium, Darwin, 7.15pm

Tuesday, August 12 — Second T20I, Marrara Stadium, Darwin, 7.15pm

Saturday, August 16 — Third T20I, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 7.15pm

Tuesday, August 19 — First ODI, Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, 2.30pm

Friday, August 22 — Second ODI, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 2.30pm

Sunday, August 22 — Third ODI, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 2.30pm

SQUADS

Australia T20 squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

South Africa T20 squad

Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Rassie van der Dussen

Australia ODI squad

Mitchell Marsh (c), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa

South Africa ODI squad

Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen

MOST RECENT RESULTS

T20Is

September 3rd, 2023 — Australia won by five wickets in Durban

September 1st, 2023 — Australia won by eight wickets in Durban

August 30th, 2023 — Australia won by 111 runs in Durban

October 23rd, 2023 — Australia won by five wickets in Abu Dhabi

ODIs

November 16th, 2023 — Australia won by three wickets in Eden Gardens

October 12th, 2023 — South Africa won by 134 runs in Lucknow

September 17th, 2023 — South Africa won by 122 runs in Johannesburg

September 15th, 2023 — South Africa won by 164 runs in Centurion

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