Injury watch on key Australia batter ahead of T20 World Cup

Australia face a selection quandary ahead of the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup after key batter Tim David hurt his hamstring while playing in a domestic T20 competition on Friday.

David injured his hamstring when batting for the Hobart Hurricanes in Australia's Big Bash League and faces a stint on the sidelines prior to the start of the next edition of the T20 World Cup that commences in India and Sri Lanka on February 7.

David is helped from the ground after hurting his hamstring in Perth // Getty Images

The 2021 T20 World Cup champions will be required to submit their 15-member playing squad for the tournament to the ICC at the start of next month and will likely include David in their plans in the hope he can recover in time.

David has featured for the Aussies at the two most recent T20 World Cups and scored a superb 74 against India in Hobart last month to underline his value in the middle-order to the side.

Australia and Hobart teammate Nathan Ellis remains hopeful that David will be able to return to the Hurricanes for the backend of the Big Bash competition and prove his fitness prior to the start of the T20 World Cup.

"As a mate, first and foremost, I'm shattered he potentially might miss a few games for the Hurricanes," Ellis said.

"But I'm hopeful that we'll 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's a huge figure in the Australian cricket team, there's no secret there.

"He's been batting four and dominating, so fingers crossed it's not too bad, and we get him a few games in purple (Hurricanes colours) before then."

Australia are drawn in Group B for the T20 World Cup and are scheduled to play matches against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Ireland and Oman during the opening round of the competition.