Timothy Hays David, popularly known as Tim David, was born on 16 March 1996 in Singapore, at a time when his father, Rod David, was living there while pursuing his own cricketing career. His father represented the Singapore national team in the 1997 ICC Trophy, which made cricket an integral part of Tim’s childhood. Although Tim was born in Singapore, the family moved to Perth, Western Australia when he was still a young boy, and it was in Perth that his cricketing foundations were laid. He attended Scotch College, one of Perth’s reputed schools, and it was here that he started showcasing natural flair as a cricketer. Initially, Tim wanted to be a fast bowler, but due to a stress fracture in his back during his teenage years, he shifted focus to batting. This injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it pushed him toward developing into the fearsome power-hitter he is today. Growing up in Perth also meant he was surrounded by strong cricket culture, with icons like Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh being local heroes, and this environment further inspired him to dream big in the sport.
Entry into International Cricket & Dual Representation
Tim David’s cricket career took an unusual path compared to most Australian cricketers. Since he was born in Singapore, he was eligible to represent the country in international cricket. In July 2019, he made his T20 International debut for Singapore against Qatar. Playing for Singapore, he quickly became a star, notching up runs with his fearless batting style in associate-nation tournaments. He was one of the key figures for Singapore during the 2019 ICC T20 World Cup Qualifiers, where his explosive knocks caught the eye of global cricket fans and franchises alike. However, Tim had always dreamed of playing for Australia, and after years of consistent performances in franchise leagues, he finally earned that chance. In September 2022, he made his T20I debut for Australia against India at Mohali. This made him one of the rare cricketers to have represented two nations at the international level — starting with Singapore and later switching to Australia, a testament to both his multicultural background and his persistence in chasing the highest level of the game.
Style, Role & Strengths
Tim David is regarded as a specialist finisher and middle-order batsman, someone who thrives in high-pressure scenarios when quick runs are needed. Standing tall at 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm), he has the natural advantage of reach and strength, allowing him to muscle balls over the boundary with apparent ease. His batting is characterized by an aggressive mindset — he does not take much time to settle at the crease and often looks to dominate bowlers right from the first few deliveries he faces. Known for his clean ball-striking and ability to hit sixes straight down the ground as well as across the arc, he is particularly dangerous in the death overs. While his bowling — right-arm off-break — is occasional and secondary, his value to teams lies primarily in his explosive batting. Additionally, he is a strong and athletic fielder, often placed in boundary positions where his safe hands and quick reflexes add another dimension to his game. In short, his role is clear and defined: to finish games with quickfire cameos, a skill not many cricketers can consistently deliver.
Domestic & Franchise Career Highlights
Tim David’s rise to prominence can largely be credited to his franchise cricket journey, which transformed him from a little-known cricketer to a global T20 superstar. In Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), he represented Perth Scorchers and later Hobart Hurricanes, where he showcased his ability to score at an extremely high strike rate. His performances in the BBL opened doors for him in leagues across the world, including the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with Lahore Qalandars, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with St. Lucia Kings, The Hundred in England with Southern Brave, and County cricket with Surrey. Each of these stints added to his experience and visibility. The turning point came with the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was bought by the Mumbai Indians in 2022 for a significant price tag. In IPL 2022, Tim had one of the highest strike rates of the season and played crucial cameos that turned games in Mumbai’s favor. His franchise career has made him a globe-trotting cricketer, one who is in demand across T20 leagues, similar to the likes of Andre Russell and Kieron Pollard.
International (Australia) Career
Tim David’s journey to finally donning the Australian colors was long but worth the wait. After representing Singapore between 2019 and 2020, he had to prove himself through leagues before Australia took notice. In September 2022, his dream came true when he was selected for Australia’s T20I squad for the series against India. He impressed with his aggressive stroke play in the middle order, showing he could handle the pressure of international cricket. He was later included in Australia’s squad for the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, hosted in Australia, where his role was primarily as a power-hitter down the order. While he has not yet had the opportunity to play Test cricket, he made his ODI debut in September 2023 against South Africa. Though his international career is still young, his presence as a reliable finisher has already given Australia a much-needed boost in limited-overs formats. His ability to take on world-class bowlers at the death makes him one of the most exciting Australian cricketers to watch in modern T20 cricket.
Notable Achievements & Records
Tim David has already etched his name in cricketing history with some unique milestones. He is the first Singapore-born cricketer to play in the IPL, breaking barriers and inspiring players from associate nations. In IPL 2022, despite limited opportunities, he maintained an astonishing strike rate of over 210 in some matches, which was among the highest for the season. He has also registered multiple quickfire fifties in franchise leagues around the world, proving his ability to adapt to different conditions and bowlers. His performances in the BBL and CPL earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in the game. Beyond the numbers, his most significant achievement is perhaps his rare feat of playing international cricket for two countries, first for Singapore and then for Australia — something very few players in history have accomplished. This unique career trajectory highlights his resilience and determination.
Challenges & Growth Areas
While Tim David has made a huge impact in T20 cricket, he still has areas where he needs to grow. Consistency is one of the main challenges for a finisher like him. Since he usually bats in high-risk situations with fewer balls to face, maintaining a high average while also scoring at a rapid strike rate can be difficult. Sometimes, if he fails to connect, it can put pressure back on his team. Another challenge is adapting to different conditions — for instance, slow and turning pitches in Asia can test his big-hitting style. Moreover, his bowling is rarely used, which means he relies almost entirely on his batting to justify his spot. If he can develop more versatility, either by improving his spin-hitting against quality bowlers or by bowling a few overs regularly, he can become an even more complete package. However, given his work ethic and rapid rise, Tim David has the potential to overcome these challenges and cement his place as one of the world’s most feared T20 batsmen.
Personal Life & Miscellaneous Facts
Outside cricket, Tim David leads a grounded life. His full name is Timothy Hays David, and he is married to Stephanie Kershaw, an Australian field hockey player who has represented the country internationally. The couple’s shared sporting background has created a supportive environment, with both understanding the demands of professional sports. Tim is known to be humble and focused, often crediting his parents and early struggles for keeping him motivated. At 196 cm tall, he is one of the tallest cricketers in world cricket today, giving him a physical advantage in hitting sixes with sheer power. His father’s cricketing background with Singapore also remains an interesting part of his story, connecting him to two nations and symbolizing his unique journey. Off the field, Tim enjoys travel and spending time with family, while on the field, he has built a reputation for being calm under pressure and letting his bat do the talking
