‘Just been working really hard on it’ – Tim David reveals efforts to hone leg spin

Matthew Wade and Tim David. (Photo source: X(Twitter)

The initial half of the ninth edition of the T20 World Cup was unequivocally dominated by fast bowlers, whether in the USA or West Indies. This is evident from the total number of overs bowled (829.3 by pacers compared to 464.2 by spinners), the number of maiden overs delivered (30 by pacers versus 8 by spinners), and significantly due to the predominant deployment of fast bowlers, 306 wickets taken by pacers as against 150 by spinners. These statistics are based on the group-stage matches, encompassing a sample size of 40 games.

Ahead of Australia’s first Super 8s game against Bangladesh in Antigua, Tim David, a powerful finisher and a part-time off-spinner, revealed that he had been experimenting with leg-spin over the past few months. He had his aims set to provide his team with an additional bowling option if needed. David, who is yet to bowl in this World Cup, mentioned that he has been diligently working on his bowling.

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“It just gives you options as a match-up. I started bowling leg-spin in nets about nine months ago, and they came out really well. So, just been working really hard on it. And to be honest, I really enjoy bowling. It’s more fun in the game than just sitting there for 20 overs in the field,” stated David ahead of the Australia-Bangladesh clash, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

That’s the most important thing for me [so close to the game]: David

David has not only been bowling with full vigour, but he has also been intensively practicing his batting against spin in recent weeks. He noted that overthinking before a game yields minimal benefits. The 28-year-old expressed that he thoroughly enjoys his net sessions with the bat, finds training fun, and that’s the essence of it.

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“I’ve practiced a lot against spin over the last couple of weeks. Day before a game or couple of days before the game [though], it’s not that big of a stress. You know you can’t change too much at that stage. You just get feeling good [in the nets], ticking a couple of boxes, having fun at training. That’s the most important thing for me [so close to the game],” added David.