Many of Fox Cricket’s reporters have said that Tim David is an absolute lock to play in the T20 World Cup in 2022. They say he can add explosive firepower to the team which won the World Cup in 2021.
They say Steve Smith is “too methodical” and cannot play limited-overs cricket. Whilst this may be true, I don’t believe David is the man.
In the suburbs of Subiaco lies a 25-year-old cricketer whose firepower surpasses many players.
He is known as one of Australia’s brightest batting prospects and has hit sixes way into the stands of the SCG.
That man is none other than Josh Philippe.
Playing for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL, Josh Philippe is a solid rock at No.3 in the batting order. With a solid average of 30 (rounding up), he is one of the competition’s best players, ranked at No.13 in the whole league.
He should be taking David’s place.
Josh Philippe (Photo by Sanka Vidanagama/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Albeit, he didn’t play as well as he could have in last year’s international, but surely, he can get a second chance for a player of his caliber.
David has played a lone eight matches in the BBL, Australia’s main way of talent scouting for the T20Is. Philippe has played 63.
David’s top score is 46. Not bad by any means, but compare that to Phillipe’s 99 not out, it seems rather low.
Tim David has played many overseas competitions such as the IPL and the Pakistan Super League. This may be where the team selectors get their information.
Compared with Steve Smith’s stats overseas, Tim David is nowhere near as experienced as he needs to be.
Let alone Philippe who is yet to seriously venture overseas, apart from a brief successful stint in the IPL that was sadly cut short due to personal reasons.
There is also one more thing we haven’t mentioned just yet.
Philippe is an amazing wicketkeeper.
This adds to his already impressive resume.
In BBLl09, Philippe won the club’s most valuable player award, defeating fellow superstars Moises Henriques and ever-reliable Jordan Silk.
During that season, he passed Australian legend Brad Haddin’s record of dismissals for the BBL – 23.
Philippe has the flexibility to stand in for Matthew Wade at any stage, presenting a larger threat behind the stumps, as the two wouldn’t be as affected by fatigue.
Philippe has the skill range to strike the ball at 360 degrees, unlike other competitors who tend to rely on cover drives and big sweep shots to get over the line.
Tim David certainly does possess skills far higher than many competitors. Perhaps there is a spot for him in this team, he would be more than a handy inclusion.
But I don’t think he has the skill set to keep Phillipe out of the 11. He is just so reliable and trustworthy, that you get that, ‘Oh, we’re still good’ feeling. We will certainly need this feeling, whilst we’re up against bowlers like Tommy Curran and Lungi Ngidi.
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