Tim David and Nathan Ellis from Australia's T20 team are working hard to improve their performance in the fifty-over version of the game. They want to earn a chance to be part of the ODI squad for the World Cup in India. Even though they haven't played many ODI matches, they are hopeful about making it to the big tournament.
Australia has already picked a preliminary team for the World Cup, and Nathan Ellis is on that list. However, Tim David hasn't been included.
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David has never played an ODI match before. He has only been in 16 List A matches in his career, but his numbers are impressive – he has an average score of 82.77 and a quick strike rate of 123.14.
Most of his List A games were not in Australia, with only one being in his home country, while others were in Singapore and for Surrey.
Nathan Ellis & Tim David on the fringes
It might be tough for Tim David to join Australia's ODI World Cup team so close to the event. However, this could be a chance for him to learn more about the 50-over format at the international level.
Australia will miss Glenn Maxwell and Steven Smith due to injuries during the ODIs in South Africa. Marnus Labuschagne was expected to replace Smith, but he's not in the World Cup squad either. This is where Tim David sees his chance. It's not completely impossible that the team might take a risk on him, given how well he has played in T20 matches.
Nathan Ellis is known for being a great bowler at the end of T20 games. He could bring something special to Australia's team. Although Spencer Johnson is another option, Ellis has proven himself more.
Nathan Ellis hasn't had many chances to play in ODI matches, even fewer than in T20Is – only four so far. He's competing for a place in the World Cup squad alongside Sean Abbott and Johnson.
An emphatic start to our men's T20 tour of South Africa.
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 30, 2023
Mitch Marsh (92no), Tim David (64) and Tanveer Sangha (4-31) the stars of the show as we take a 1-0 series lead #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/eQPfD0yNqI
Ellis said, “I haven't played consecutive games and have got one game here, one game there so it's definitely easy to fall into the mindset of ‘this is my only chance' or ‘this could be my last chance', that sort of thing.” He understands that he needs to make the most of his opportunities.
Australia surprised everyone with its choices for the World Cup team. They included newcomers like leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha and all-rounder Aaron Hardie. Sangha did well on his debut by taking four wickets, and Hardie impressed with a good performance towards the end of a match.
As Australia gets ready for the World Cup, Tim David and Nathan Ellis are trying hard to show they deserve a place. They're like the underdogs who want to shine on the big stage. It's a story of determination, hope, and the chance to turn their dreams into reality on cricket's grandest stage.
