Tim David has a message for Big Bash League clubs – he is a far better player than the one who made a stunning debut for the Perth Scorchers almost two years ago.
David’s hopes of adding to his BBL appearances were dashed last summer when he broke his right foot playing club cricket for Claremont-Nedlands in December.
“The day that I broke it, I thought: ‘My feet are pretty sore here, I might tell the doc or the physios when I see them on Monday’. And then the last ball I bowled I kind of jumped to bowl and landed on my foot and broke it,” David told emageogroup.com.
“I saw the doc the next day and I think I was in surgery by Wednesday, having a screw put in.
“It was unfortunate timing. I also missed out on a WACA contract, which was not ideal either.”
David was sidelined for about four months before playing a couple of club games at the end of March.
The 23-year-old had another surgery to have the screw removed in June.
The following month, the big-hitting all-rounder made his international T20 debut for Singapore.
Since then, David has gone on a history-making run with his birth country as a reliable run scorer, winning the Asia Final and then claiming a maiden win against an ICC full member nation.
“It wasn’t anything I was expecting to do but it certainly is good fun getting out of the bubble of WA cricket, doing something different for a while,” David said.
“My dad played for Singapore as well when he was working there. I never really thought about it that much and then after I got released I didn’t have anything to do and I wanted to play cricket.
“Initially I wasn’t sure of what to expect from playing with the Singapore boys, but there have been some great opportunities so far and I’ve loved every minute of it. The team has improved so much over the last month and I’m excited to see where we can go.”
David returns to Singapore on Thursday ahead of the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Dubai from October 18. He is daring to dream of a World Cup berth in Australia next year.
“It’s satisfying that when I’ve done well it’s contributed to team performance,” David said. “I guess it’s pleasing that my scoring runs against Nepal has given us that opportunity in Dubai.
“We’ve got to come in the top six of 14 teams and then we go to the World Cup next year. You’ve just got to go in open minded. But it’s pretty cool to have the opportunity to be able to try and play at a World Cup. If we go, that would be very exciting.”
David doesn’t have a BBL contract but will be ready if and when an opportunity presents.
He proved he was more than capable at the level back in the 2017-18 season when he was called up for the Scorchers and showcased his clutch power-hitting with an unbeaten 17 runs from 10 deliveries to secure victory over the Sydney Sixers at the WACA Ground.
“It would be nice to be contracted but at the moment that’s not a reality,” David said. “If a spot as a replacement player arises, I’m really ready to go and I’ve played at that level before so I know what to expect from the competition and my own skill level so I’m preparing accordingly. I know what to expect and I know how I’d go about it if I get another chance so I’m kind of champing at the bit to hopefully get an opportunity to play again.
“The way I see it, I played two years ago but since then I’ve improved so much. I wasn’t really a professional cricketer then but now I have been for a period of time. I think I’m a much better player. I’ve got my eyes set on playing and hopefully being able to perform and go from there.”
David, who is now bowling off-spin instead of pace, made 52 runs opening the batting for Claremont-Nedlands at the weekend, while fellow Team Emageo star Joel Paris top scored with 62 runs.
Listen to David speak about his time with Singapore to the BBC here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p07qfhky