Australia and West Indies locked horns in the 3rd T20I at the Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts on Saturday. Australia won the toss and opted to field first. With the help of a scintillating century from Shai Hope and half century from Brandon King, West Indies posted a challenging total of 214 runs on the board. 

But it was Tim David who stole the show by scoring the fastest T20I century for Australia. Chasing the big total, Australia’s top order faltered and it was David who came to the rescue with his blitzkrieg. He reached the three figure mark in just 37 deliveries as Australia won the game in 16.1 overs and six wickets intact. 

The right handed batter remained unbeaten on 102 and smashed six boundaries and 11 maximums at a strike rate of 275.68. Another notable contribution came at the end of Mitchell Owen, who remained unbeaten on 36 off just 16 deliveries, scoring two boundaries and three maximums.

See Also: Tim David celebrates new T20I record for Australia during third T20I vs West Indies

Australia clinch the T20I series

Before Tim David could take the charge, it was Shai Hope who lit the Warner Park. The West Indies captain led from the front and tore apart the Australian bowling arsenal. He scored an unbeaten 102 runs in just 57 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries and six maximums. With this win, Australia have clinched the T20I series and are leading by 3-0 with two more matches to go. 

It is worth noting that West Indies' dismal run after losing the Test series to the visitors by 3-0 has continued. They would like to get back to winning ways in the upcoming matches and the series on a positive note. The next match will be held at the same venue on July 27 and the final game of the series will be held on July 29. 

When Australia were under pressure during their 215-run chase and restricted to 87/4 in the ninth over at Warner Park in Basseterre in St Kitts, Tim David stood up and showed his support. There was so much expectation from the lower middle order batter to deliver in crunch situations, and he raised his bar when the Mitchell Marsh-led side needed him the most. 

David pulled the short ball from Jason Holder to open his account with a boundary before going into the standards against Gudakesh Motie. The right-handed RCB batter used his power to smack the left-arm spinner straight down the ground for another boundary. He continued the big shots one after another and celebrated the fastest T20I half-century for Australia.

See Also: [WATCH] Joe Root celebrates record century during ENG vs IND 4th Test in Manchester

During the 10th over of the innings, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) smashed four successive sixes before taking on Akeal Hossein. Later, he drilled the fastest century for Australia in T20I in just 37 deliveries, going past Josh Inglis’ record in 43 balls against Scotland. Only Suryakumar Yadav has a better strike rate in T20Is among full-member players than David for a minimum of 1000 runs.

Watch: Tim David celebrates Australia’s fastest T20I century against West Indies

The Singapore-born batter remained unbeaten on 102 runs in just 37 balls thanks to six boundaries and 11 sixes at a strike rate of 275.68, while Mitchell Owen nailed 36 unbeaten runs in 16 balls to complete the chase of 215 runs in 16.1 overs and six wickets in spare. They put up an undefeated stand of 128 runs in just 44 deliveries.

THE FASTEST T20I 50 IN AUSTRALIAN HISTORY! 🔥 🔥 🔥

Tim David absolutely monsters his way to the half-century off 16 balls.

Catch every ball of Australia’s tour of the West Indies live on ESPN on Disney+ 📺 pic.twitter.com/YY0AEj2xn7

— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) July 26, 2025

‘I just had a great time in the middle, wanting to make the most of every opportunity with the bat. It was nice to spend time at home. I had picked up a niggle, didn't think too much, didn't think I would score a 100 for Australia. The pitch was good and the boundaries were short; I just backed myself to play my shots.’ He said at the end of the game.

Earlier, the home side crossed the 210-run mark in the first innings, thanks to their captain’s unbeaten knock of 102 runs in 57 balls, while Brandon King drilled 62 runs in 36 balls at a strike rate of 172.22, in a 125-run opening stand in 11.4 overs. But they didn’t carry the momentum and added just 89 runs in the next 50 balls.  

England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler recently highlighted how data is transforming T20 cricket, using Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Tim David as a prime example. Speaking on the 'For The Love Of Cricket' podcast, Buttler explained that although David may never win the Orange Cap, his value lies in his impactful cameos. “Someone like Tim David had an exceptional season with RCB. He’s never going to be an Orange Cap winner. But the impact in those 10 balls he faces—these are the sort of things. How data has affected T20 cricket,” Buttler said.

David was signed by RCB in the IPL 2025 mega auction for ₹3 crore and went on to score 187 runs from nine innings. While the total may appear modest, his average of 62.33 and explosive strike rate of 185.14 proved crucial for the franchise. His ability to finish games and play high-impact roles in limited deliveries shows how data now evaluates players beyond traditional milestones like runs or wickets.

During the same conversation, RCB analyst Freddie Wilde spoke about the behind-the-scenes contributions of Dinesh Karthik. Acting as batting coach and mentor, Karthik also made real-time fielding adjustments, similar to a football manager’s style. “In one game against Chennai, he moved the third man fractionally finer, and the ball pretty much went to that guy the next ball,” Wilde recalled. He credited RCB captain Rajat Patidar’s openness to tactical tweaks as a key factor in their success.

Watch the video here

See Also: Watch: Is this the craziest cricket shot ever played?

Buttler, McCullum, and the instinct-over-data philosophy

Jos Buttler also shed light on how England Test coach Brendon McCullum uses a different approach—relying less on analytics. “Baz is a really clever coach... He’s more of a feel coach. He likes to create a vibe and an atmosphere,” Buttler said. Freddie Wilde echoed the sentiment, saying McCullum prefers players to go out with an “uncluttered mind” and use their instincts.

Currently, England is leading India 2-1 in a gripping five-match Test series at home, and the debate over instinct versus data continues to shape the modern game.

In a major boost for the reigning Big Bash League champions, the Hobart Hurricanes have confirmed the re-signing of explosive middle-order batter Tim David on a two-year contract, locking him in until the end of BBL 16.

David, who was a driving force behind Hobart’s title-winning campaign in BBL 14, knocked back interest from rival BBL clubs including both Melbourne franchises to remain part of the ‘Cane Train’. His match-winning abilities with the bat, especially during the tense back end of games, made him one of the most sought-after players on the market. “I’m super excited to re-sign with the Hurricanes for another two seasons,” David said. “Last year was special, and I can't wait to do it all again next summer.”

BBL 14: David at His Best

The 28-year-old produced his best Big Bash season to date in BBL 14, scoring 254 runs at an average of 42.33 and an astonishing strike rate of 177.62. Nicknamed the "Surge Goliath" by fans and commentators, David smashed 114 runs in the two-over Power Surge period alone, striking a jaw-dropping 285.

His heroics were crucial in clutch wins against the Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Thunder, and Melbourne Renegades three consecutive victories that ultimately helped the Hurricanes reach the finals and claim their first BBL title.

Since joining the Hurricanes from the Perth Scorchers in BBL 10, David has amassed 1,217 runs at a strike rate of 159.92, including four fifties. Known for his clean power hitting and athleticism in the outfield, he has become a central figure in the Hurricanes’ rise to championship status.

ALSO SEE: Rohit Sharma is a master of cricketing brain, cricketer reveals unseen incident

Leadership and Loyalty

Cricket Tasmania General Manager of High Performance, Salliann Beams, praised David’s impact on and off the field. “Tim has been instrumental in shaping what we’re building here in Hobart. His leadership last season played a massive role in helping the team win our first championship,” Beams said. “He’s a game-changer, and we’re lucky to have him on our side.”

David’s decision to stay comes after months of speculation and reported offers from multiple clubs. Despite being uncontracted during the post-season Player Movement Window, the Hurricanes’ continued faith and vision have won out.

Hurricanes Squad Taking Shape for BBL 15

With David’s re-signing, 15 of the 18 available squad spots are now filled for BBL 15. The Hurricanes also added key names in Jake Weatherald (Adelaide Strikers) and Beau Webster (Melbourne Stars), while Caleb Jewell has departed for the Renegades.

Current Contracted Players for BBL 15:

Batters & All-rounders: Tim David, Ben McDermott, Mitch Owen, Matt Wade, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Mac Wright, Nikhil Chaudhary

Bowlers: Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, Iain Carlisle

Overseas Players: Rehan Ahmed (England), Rishad Hossain (Bangladesh), Chris Jordan (England)

Uncontracted Players: Marcus Bean, Paddy Dooley, Jake Doran, Cameron Gannon, Peter Hatzoglou, Shai Hope, Waqar Salamkheil, Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward

The Hurricanes are set to begin their BBL 15 campaign on December 16, with a grand final rematch against the Sydney Thunder at Ninja Stadium. They’ll aim to become the first franchise to win back-to-back titles since the Perth Scorchers’ run in BBL 11 and BBL 12. Details on memberships, tickets, and match schedules will be released soon. Fans can sign up for pre-sale access at bigbash.com.au.

The Saint Lucia Kings, the defending champions of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), have unveiled their retained core and newly signed players for the 2025 season, signaling their intent to defend the title with a balanced mix of international experience and Caribbean flair. The squad was officially announced during the CPL draft held on 18 June, and fans are eagerly looking forward to seeing how the Kings are looking with a new campaign.

Saint Lucia created history last season by securing their maiden-ever CPL title. They beat the Amazon Warriors by 6 wickets with 11 balls remaining in the final on 7 October 2024, chasing a total of 139 successfully. That moment not only marked a breakthrough win for the Kings but also completed the unique record of every CPL franchise having lifted the trophy at least once.

They've maintained a strong core of players from the earlier seasons, with perennial performers such as Roston Chase and Alzarri Joseph, with new additions of an assortment of foreign stars that are set to bring in quality and depth in all departments. With the season for CPL 2025 set to begin on 14 August and end with the grand finale in Guyana on 21 September, the Kings are looking to reach the ultimate stage once again.

The franchise has also embraced the CPL's developmental initiative, drafting emerging West Indies talent in the final rounds. These young guns will be integral to team dynamics since each team will be required to have at least one player from the Breakout League in every fixture—a step towards strengthening Caribbean cricket's grass roots. 

See Also: CPL 2025: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots announce their squad for upcoming season

Full Squad—Saint Lucia Kings CPL 2025:

Tim David, Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Tim Seifert, Roston Chase, Tabraiz Shamsi, David Wiese, Delano Potgieter, Matthew Forde, Aaron Jones, Khary Pierre, Shadrack Descarte, Javelle Glen, Micah McKenzie, Johann Jeremiah, Keon Gaston, and Ackeem Auguste.

Saint Lucia! Your Kings are ready to defend! 🏆🇱🇨#beinspired #kiteyenspiwew #Ansanmnouplifò #CPL25 pic.twitter.com/VbHFrbZE0Z

— Saint Lucia Kings (@SaintLuciaKings) June 18, 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), with all their guns, is ready to clinch their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title. For that, they need to overcome an in-form Punjab Kings (PBKS). Neither of the teams has ever experienced the taste of the silverware before. So needless to say, the excitement around the IPL 2025 final will break all the limits.

Tim David has been an integral part of the RCB setup, helping the team in many ways to secure the title shot after a long waiting period. Though the swashbuckling batting all-rounder was out of the playing XI during Qualifier 1 against PBKS due to injury concerns. So cricket fans are eager to know about the current status of David.

During the pre-match press conference, Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar had to face the question regarding the availability of the 29-year-old cricketer. Patidar was unable to offer any satisfying response in his reply; David is still doubtful about the highly valued clash for the title.

Captain’s Photoshoot - ✅😎

Pre-match Press Conference - ✅🎙

All eyes 👀 on #TATAIPL Final tomorrow ⌛#RCBvPBKS | #Final | #TheLastMile | @RCBTweets | @PunjabKingsIPL pic.twitter.com/tGdWKbZUhp

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) June 2, 2025

Read More: IPL 2025: What is weather forecast of RCB vs PBKS IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad?

Will Tim David able to play a role in the final encounter? 

"Till now, I have no idea about Tim David. Doctors are there, and we will get to know them this evening. Of course. I think he has given a lot of years to RCB and the international side also. We will try to do our best in the game," addressing the importance of the player, Patidar said this in the press conference.

So far in IPL 2025, the Australian international has participated in 12 contests and bagged 187, with an average of 62.33, including an unbeaten 50-run innings. RCB mainly utilized him as a hard hitter in the middle of the lower middle order. 

We have now entered the IPL 2025 Playoffs as the Qualifier 1 Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (PBKS vs RCB) match has started on Thursday evening (May 29) in Mullanpur. For the RCB side, Tim David is absent, and here we have brought the reason for his absence from the game. 

Rajat Patidar returns to the captaincy role in the Qualifier 1, as RCB chose to field first after winning the toss in the Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2025. They made only one change, as Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood replaced Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thusara. Meanwhile, Tim David has missed this match.

See Also: 5 batters who finished with less than 10 runs in IPL 2025

IPL 2025, Qualifier 1, PBKS vs RCB: Why is Tim David not playing? 

RCB's Australian cricketer Tim David is missing Qualifier 1 due to his hamstring injury. He also missed their previous game, which was against Lucknow Super Giants. During their previous match against SunRisers Hyderabad, where RCB lost by 42 runs, David was injured in the final over of the first innings while saving a boundary. He was immediately off the field. Although he later came to bat and scored one off five balls, he has missed the next two matches. In their last game, English all-rounder Liam Livingstone replaced David, and the English star is continuing his place in Qualifier 1.  

The Road to Final

The winners of Qualifier 1 will advance to the Final of the IPL 2025. Meanwhile, the losers will now enter the Qualifier 2 clash, where they will face the Eliminator winners, Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians on Friday (May 30) at Mullanpur. The Qualifier 2, which has been scheduled for Sunday evening (May 1) at Ahmedabad, will confirm the second finalists for the season. Ahmedabad will also host the IPL 2025 Final on Tuesday evening (May 3), where Qualifier 1 winners and Qualifier 2 winners will face each other to lift the trophy. Both RCB and PBKS are dreaming of their first IPL trophy, as RCB are the three-time IPL runners-up, while PBKS were the runners-up in the IPL 2014. 

A highly anticipated showdown between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) is all set to be held at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, from 7.30 pm today (May 29). Prior to the match, RCB and cricket fans are eagerly waiting to know about the availability of Josh Hazlewood and Tim David. 

RCB confirmed their Qualifier 1 spot by defeating Lucknow Super Giants in a high-octane match where Hazlewood and David were not part of the RCB playing combination. Both the overseas players were sidelined due to injury concerns. The star Australian pacer missed three group stage matches due to a shoulder injury, and the all-rounder Tim David sustained a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the previous encounter against LSG. 

Along with injury concerns, Hazlewood's availability for the rest of IPL 2025 was in doubt as Australia was set to take on South Africa for the World Test Championship title. But later it was confirmed that the prolific pacer will be there to play for his IPL team. Jitesh Sharma, the stand-in skipper for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in place of injured regular captain Rajat Patidar, confirmed that the Aussie pacer is ready to play IPL matches against and will be part of the first XI. This, it is anticipated, Hazlewood can play against Punjab Kings. 

Read More: 'He won't make you win either..' - Aakash Chopra urges RCB management to drop star player ahead of Qualifier 1 against PBKS

RCB can shuffle playing combination vs. PBKS 

But there is no confirmation about Tim David. As of now, it is understood that the highly valueding all-rounder is still recovering from his leg injury and can take more time to fully recover. RCB may have to field their first XI without him. 

In this scenario, if RCB management wants to put Hazlewood in the playing set-up against Punjab in today's match, then they have to put one foreign player from the last encounter's playing XI on the bench. Nuwan Thushara took a wicket against Lucknow and spent only 26 for a 6.50 economy rate can be dropped to make some room for Josh Hazelwood. 

We have entered the last league stage game in the IPL 2025, where Royal Challengers Bengaluru are playing against Lucknow Super Giants. In this fixture, RCB are playing without their foreign cricketers Tim David and Lungi Ngidi. Here are the reasons for their absence in the game. 

Once again, Jitesh Sharma has been chosen to lead the RCB team, while the regular skipper Rajat Patidar is in the list of Impact Sub. Australian cricketer Tim David and South African pacer Lungi Ngidi are not playing this match, and both these absences aren't shocking. English all-rounder Liam Livingstone replaced David, and Sri Lankan pacer Nuwan Thushara is playing as a replacement for Ngidi. 

Why is Tim David not playing?

In their previous game against SunRisers Hyderabad, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru suffered a 42-run defeat, David suffered a hamstring injury. During the final over of the SRH innings, David was injured while saving a boundary. Although David later came to bat at no.8, he was dismissed for one run in five balls.

The franchise is now waiting for his fitness status, especially whether he can be available for the Playoffs or not. If he fails to improve his fitness, we may see another special temporary replacement in the team.  

Also Watch: Royal Challengers Bengaluru eye catching initiative for fans ahead of IPL 2025

Why is Lungi Ngidi not playing?

On the other hand, Lungi Ngidi has left the franchise to join his national team. In the absence of Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood, Ngidi served for RCB in two matches, where the right-arm fast bowler picked up three and one wickets, respectively. Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani is the replacement for Ngidi in the franchise for the remainder of the season.     

The last league stage game of the IPL 2025 is a must-win match for RCB to secure a top-two finish in the points table, who are in the third position before the match with 17 points. RCB can even finish on top of the points table. 

Before an all-time important clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is hit by an injury problem through their all-rounder Tim David. As of now, David may not be able to take part in the LSG vs. RCB clash tomorrow (May 27) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium.

As there is no such clear report about the seriousness of David's injury, a bunch of RCB fans are curious to know about his availability for the playoffs. RCB, already confirmed for their spot in the round of four, wants to ensure a place in the top 2 by defeating LSG. In case David goes totally out of the equation due to injury, then who can be a perfect replacement in place of him in the Red and Black squad?

Three players who have the potential to replace Tim David:

Michael Bracewell: The Newand all-rounder can be well sought; in fact, he played for RCB before with a decent stat. They played for the IPL in IPL 2023 with a 29.00 batting average and 6 wickets in the bag. The 34-year-old established his name as a prominent name in T20 leagues. His spin bowling abilities can prove a good supporting option in case the regular bowlers struggle to get wickets or prevent a high run rate. 

Read More: IPL 2025: PBKS vs MI Match 69 - A Head to Head breakdown

Mark Chapman: Another player from New Zealand has the potential to replace Tim David in the RCB squad. The spin bowling all-rounder never played in the IPL before; thus, he can be a surprising entry in the mix. The 30-year-old has played nearly 90 T20Is for his country with an unbeaten 109-run innings. With his technical batting abilities, Chapman can be a good addition to RCB. 

Ben McDermott: This Australian has some sensational performances in the Big Bash League. In his bag, he got a couple of tons in BBL and a couple of innings in the 90s. In the 2024-25 season, McDermott played with a 144.18 strike rate and produced a 37.20 batting average for the Hobart Hurricanes, including an unbeaten 68-run innings. In the ODI format, the right-handed batter has a century for Australia as well.