Australia's T20 World Cup preparations suffered a major setback as tumultuous middle-order batter Tim David limped out of Hobart Hurricanes' BBL clash against Perth Scorchers on Friday due to a hamstring injury.
David's hamstring injury is a primary concern for Australia ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. He sustained the injury while batting for Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League, but still managed to score a match-winning 42 off 28 balls.
With the global event starting on February 7, the 2021 world champions will need to present their squad at the start of next month.
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It is possible to include Tim, with the hope that he can recover in time. Tim has played for the Aussies during the 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cup editions and scored a superb 74 against India in Hobart last month.
Australia and Hobart teammate Nathan Ellis is optimistic that Tim will be able to recover in time.
"As a mate, first and foremost, I'm shattered he potentially might miss a few games for the Hurricanes," Ellis said as quoted by ICC.
"But I am hopeful that we will do all the right things and hopefully, potentially, get him right for the backend of the tournament ... and beyond with the Australian colours in the (T20) World Cup. He is a huge figure in the Australian cricket team; there is no secret there," Ellis said.
"He has been batting four and dominating, so fingers crossed it is not too bad, and we get him a few games in purple (Hurricanes colours) before then," he concluded.
Australia have been drawn in Group B for the T20 World Cup and is scheduled to play Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Oman in the opening round. They will start off their campaign against Ireland on February 11 at Colombo.
(With ANI Inputs)