David Warner says middle-order batter Tim David is playing the fearless cricket that's part of the Australian T20 "brand" and will be vital for success in the upcoming World Cup.
Warner was speaking after Australia's 31-run win over the West Indies in Friday's T20 international at the Gabba where David, who stands at 1.96 metres, made a blistering 42 off 20 deliveries with his strength, power and smarts to the fore.
Opener Warner, who top-scored with a swashbuckling 75, won a T20 World Cup with Australia last year and the 35-year-old veteran believes it's "really important" to have a player like David in the team for this year's tournament.
On form, the 26-year-old David is edging ahead of Steve Smith to get a start in the World Cup opener against New Zealand in a fortnight.
Warner said the onus was on the senior players in the team to do their bit and take the pressure off David so he could play his way with a "clear mind".
"We lost myself and had two new batters in. Then Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) got run out and (David) played like that. That is fearless cricket," Warner said of David's late blitz.
"That is what we like about our brand at the moment. We are playing that. Everyone is owning their own space."
Warner, now one of the world's leading Test match performers, played T20 cricket for Australia in 2009 before ever playing a first-class match.
It is the same path David has taken so far after he was signed by Mumbai in the IPL this year for $1.5 million without having played first-class cricket.
Warner was asked whether he recognised the traits he shared with David.
"Not in height, stature or power," Warner grinned
"He has got some incredible power. If he has got the ambitions to play one-day cricket and Test cricket for Australia, then that is definitely how he is obviously going to take that pathway which is fantastic.
"With his background ... he has chosen to play the T20 franchise circuit which is great for him. It is a starting platform."
Warner said it was up to David to work out what his priorities were.
"But now he is in our team and our set-up, it is a godsend because he is an incredible player," Warner said.
"He has got some serious power. It boosts our middle order."
Warner said it was "great" on a personal level to play so well at the Gabba, but added that defending their World Cup title at home was Australia's focus.
"It would be massive. For us, it's about not worrying about the hype and the external stuff. It is about producing our skill day-in and day-out and making sure we are executing that to the best of our ability," Warner said.
"Don't leave any energy in the tank. Give it our best shot. We are here on home soil. We want to entertain and we want to take it deep. We have to start well against New Zealand."
