David reflects on unforgettable maiden T20I century

Tim David’s unbeaten knock helped Australia chase down 215 with 23 balls to spare in the third T20I against the West Indies, securing the series 3-0 with two matches still to play.

It was a memorable night for the 29-year-old, who achieved a personal milestone he wasn’t sure he’d ever reach, considering his batting position in the lineup.

David walked in at 61/3 in 5.5 overs and put on a show with the bat, plundering 11 maximums and six fours along the way.

“I don't play for records, but certainly I didn't think I'd get the opportunity to score a hundred," Tim David said after the match. "It is your childhood dream to score a hundred for Australia, so that was definitely in the back of my mind.

“The position I've been playing, I've played a lot of T20 matches now and obviously I've never scored 100, so it was a little bit of foreign territory for me for a little bit.

“I'm just really thankful I had Mitch Owen out there, who's scored a couple recently. My younger teammate, but certainly his experience helped me through.”

During the course of his knock, David smashed the previous record for the fastest-ever T20I century by an Australian, surpassing Josh Inglis’ 43-ball ton against Scotland last year.

The 29-year-old’s knock came with calmness and clarity, combined with sheer brutality of hitting and in his eyes, it all came down to preparation.

“I practice it a lot and to be honest, a lot of the practice I've been doing recently over the past six months has helped a lot," David added.

“It's about shot selection and not actually trying to hit it too hard. It felt tonight like I wasn't trying to hit it too hard and it probably ended up with a good percentage of being able to hit the ball over the ropes.”

A key figure in his innings was 24-year-old Mitch Owen, whose presence at the other end provided David with a steady hand and infectious energy during the mammoth chase.

The duo combined to forge a 128-run stand off just 44 deliveries, with Owen remaining unbeaten on 36 off 16.

“What Mitch has been doing and the player he is now, he just backs his strengths and it's nice for someone like me to see that as a reminder," David said.

“You've got a guy coming in with fresh energy and he backs himself so much and picks the positive options, so that rubbed off on me and it was great.”

Australia's Tim David celebrates after reaching his maiden T20I century // Getty Images

Interestingly, David was asked to bat at No.5 – a position he had batted only five times in 55 T20Is for Australia prior to the match – but the right-hand batter made the best use of the opportunity.

The venue, Warner Park in St Kitts, holds special memories for David, who first made a mark here during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). That early experience, he admits, played a part in helping him navigate conditions under the lights.

“I've got really happy memories of playing here at Warner Park," David said.

“The CPL was my first or second franchise gig overseas, so a lot of memories that you hold at the start of your career.

“It's nice to come back here and to build on those, but to have a bit of experience and understand the conditions. It's going to be a pretty special one to remember.”

Earlier, West Indies skipper Shai Hope raced to his maiden T20I century, reaching the milestone in just 55 balls, as the hosts posted a strong 214/4 after being asked to bat first for the third game in a row.

They hammered 13 sixes and were cruising at 161/1 by the 15th over, but Australia clawed things back in the death overs, conceding only 49 runs in the final five, thanks to tidy spells from Sean Abbott and Nathan Ellis.

The fourth T20I is scheduled for Saturday, 26 July at the same venue.