Shaun Tait

Infobox cricketer biography
playername = Shaun Tait
female =


country = Australia
fullname = Shaun William Tait
nickname = Sloon, Tinga, The Wild Thing, Sticky
living = true
dayofbirth = 22
monthofbirth = 2
yearofbirth = 1983
placeofbirth = Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia
countryofbirth = Australia
heightft =
heightinch =
heightm = 1.93
batting = Right-hand bat
bowling = Right-arm fast
role = Bowler
oneIT20 = true
international = true
testdebutdate = 25 August
testdebutyear = 2005
testdebutagainst = England
testc

lasttestdate = 16 January
lasttestyear = 2008
lasttestagainst = India
odidebutdate = 2 February
odidebutyear = 2007
odidebutagainst = England
odic

lastodidate = 20 December
lastodiyear = 2007
lastodiagainst = New Zealand
odishirt = 32
club1 = South Australia
year1 = 2002 -
club2 = Durham
year2 = 2004
deliveries = balls
columns = 4
column1 = Tests
matches1 = 3
runs1 = 20
bat avg1 = 6.66
100s/50s1 = 0/0
top score1 = 8
deliveries1 = 414
wickets1 = 5
bowl avg1 = 60.40
fivefor1 = 0
tenfor1 = 0
best bowling1 = 3/97
catches/stumpings1 = 1/–
column2 = ODIs
matches2 = 18
runs2 = 11
bat avg2 = 11.00
100s/50s2 = 0/0
top score2 = 11
deliveries2 = 849
wickets2 = 33
bowl avg2 = 23.45
fivefor2 = 0
tenfor2 = n/a
best bowling2 = 4/39
catches/stumpings2 = 2/–
column3 = FC
matches3 = 46
runs3 = 455
bat avg3 = 11.66
100s/50s3 = 0/2
top score3 = 68
deliveries3 = 8,409
wickets3 = 185
bowl avg3 = 27.73
fivefor3 = 7
tenfor3 = 1
best bowling3 = 7/29
catches/stumpings3 = 12/–
column4 = List A
matches4 = 65
runs4 = 74
bat avg4 = 7.40
100s/50s4 = 0/0
top score4 = 22*
deliveries4 = 3,203
wickets4 = 122
bowl avg4 = 21.61
fivefor4 = 2
tenfor4 = n/a
best bowling4 = 8/43
catches/stumpings4 = 13/–
date = 27 September
year = 2008
source = http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/17/17501/17501.html CricketArchive

Shaun William Tait (born 22 February 1983 in Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia) is a professional Australian cricketer. Tait plays domestic cricket for South Australia and is also a representative for Australia at Test, One Day International and Twenty20 International level. He is a right arm fast bowler. [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8076.html Shaun Tait - Cricinfo Profle] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007]

Bowling style

Tait's delivery action is unique and marked by significant lateral twisting of the spine. The 'slingy' nature of his action has led to comparisons with former Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson. [ [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,16373691-23212,00.html Thommo welcomes fellow slinger] Fox Sport News. Retrieved 12 January 2008] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/cricket/england/4180992.stm Tait a raw talent] BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 January 2008] [ [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,16367465-5000061,00.html Shaun 'hits to hurt'] Fox Sport News. Retrieved 12 January 2008] Dubbed "The Wild Thing", Tait is considered one of the fastest bowlers in the world [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/Sport/Gillespie-Tait-ready-for-Test-recall/2006/03/02/1141191784463.html Gillespie, Tait 'ready for Test recall'] The Age. Retrieved 12 January 2008] [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/news/hodges-timing-is-perfect/2007/02/04/1170523961856.html?page=2 Hodge's timing is perfect] The Age. Retrieved 12 January 2008] and delivers the ball with phenomenal speed, at around 150km/h, and occasionally faster. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22934091-5001505,00.html Tait bearing down on Johnson, Hogg] The Australian. Retrieved 12 January 2008] [ [http://cricket.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2577211,prtpage-1.cms Tait looking for opportunity to team up with Lee] India Times. Retrieved 12 January 2008] One delivery was measured at 160km/h in an One Day International on 4 February 2007 against New Zealand. [ [http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/cricket/tait-sets-sights-on-indias-batsmen/2007/12/12/1197135590954.html Tait sets his sights on India's batsmen] Brisbane Times. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Despite his speed, Tait has often been described as "erratic" and is capable of bowling many extras. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/03/10/1868563.htm Tait to make big impact at Cup: Ponting] ABC News. Retrieved 15 December 2007] His unpredictability, however, is seen as a weapon to some, and his exceptional strike rate seems to confirm this. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/shaun-tait-on-fire/2007/12/04/1196530679984.html Shaun Tait on Fire] The Age. Retrieved 15 December 2007] [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8076.html Shaun Tait - Cricinfo Profle] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Tait has also been criticised as "expensive" [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/shaun-tait/2005/08/24/1124562872089.html Shaun Tait] The Age. Retrieved 15 December 2007] , however others have mentioned that this is irrelevant, as his main role as a "strike bowler" is to take wickets rather than keep the run rate down. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/04/09/1892668.htm Tait's Improvement Excites Ponting] ABC News. Retrieved 15 December 2007.] [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22926236-5001505,00.html Tait's world of broken bones, blood on pitch] The Australian. Retrieved 15 December 2007] [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/291305.html Australia allow Tait to have wide role] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008]

After a Twenty20 match against New Zealand on 11 December 2007, in which Tait troubled the batsmen and took 2/22, [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ausvnz/engine/match/291343.html Australia v New Zealand at Perth] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007] New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and coach John Bracewell publicly raised doubts over the legality of Tait's bowling action. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/325244.html Tait's action under scrutiny by New Zealand] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Tait labelled the comments as a "disgrace" and added that he'd be willing to undergo tests to prove his action is legal. [ [http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22921890-23212,00.html Kiwi chuck claim enrages Tait] Fox Sports News. Retrieved 15 December 2007] The comments appeared to spur Tait on, and only two days after Vettori made them, he was dismissed by Tait in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/engine/match/291345.html Australia v New Zealand at Adelaide Oval on 14 December 2007] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007]

Domestic career

First-class cricket

Tait has represented South Australia for a majority of his first-class career, however has also played matches for Australia A and Durham. [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8076.html Shaun Tait - Cricinfo Profle] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007] He has taken over 150 first-class wickets at a strike rate of under 50. [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8076.html Shaun Tait - Cricinfo Profle] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007]

At the age of nineteen, Tait made his first-class debut for South Australia against Western Australia on 19 December 2002 at the Adelaide Oval. He only bowled in one innings on his debut, yet finished with respectable figures of 3/77 off 22.2 overs. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76077.html South Australia v Western Australia Pura Cup 2002-03] Cricket Archive. Retrieved on 15 December 2007] Tait played 5 games in his first season, taking 20 wickets at an average of 22.55. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2002-03/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Pura Cup 2002/03 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved on 15 December 2007] As a result of his strong first season, Tait was awarded with a place at the Australian Cricket Academy alongside such players as Ben Hilfenhaus and Luke Ronchi. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/131050.html ACB and AIS announce 2003 Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy scholars] Cricinfo. Retrieved on 15 December 2007]

In the 2003-04 season, an in form Tait was selected in the Australia A team to take on the touring Indians. Tait took 3/85 in the Indians first innings, including the wicket of Virender Sehwag. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/78/78599.html Australia A v Indians 2003-04] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Tait once again had a strong Pura Cup season, taking 30 wickets at 28.33. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2003-04/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Pura Cup 2003/04 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] This helped earn Tait Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year for 2004. He was further rewarded as he was named in Australia's squad to tour Sri Lanka after Brett Lee was ruled out through injury. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/139906.html Shaun Tait called-up to replace the injured Brett Lee] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] While he didn't play a match on the tour, his inclusion signalled that the Australian selectors saw him as a prospect for the future.

In July 2004, Tait was signed by Durham for the second half of the English County Championship season. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/138111.html Tait on his way to Durham] . Cricket Archive. Retrieved 5 December 2007] . His first match was against a Somerset side captained by Ricky Ponting. His County debut was a poor one and saw him take 0/113 off 12 overs including 21 no balls. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/80/80239.html Durham v Somerset 2004] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Tait only played one more first-class match for Durham before flying home again.

Tait was rewarded with his first Cricket Australia contract for the 2004-05 season, being included ahead of Queensland fast bowler Andy Bichel. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/134194.html The end for Bevan and Bichel?] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Tait repaid the selector's faith in him by having his best Pura Cup season to date. He took 65 first-class wickets at an average of 20.16 [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2004-05/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Pura Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] , surpassing Clarrie Grimmett's record for most wickets in a season for a South Australian bowler. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/146091.html Tait record helps Redbacks avoid wooden spoon] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Perhaps Tait's best performance of the season was his spell of 7/99 against Queensland at the Adelaide Oval in November 2004 in which he claimed the wickets of Australian representatives Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson, James Hopes, Jimmy Maher, Andy Bichel and Nathan Hauritz. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/81/81005.html South Australia v Queensland Pura Cup 2004/05] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] His record breaking season helped him gain a place on the Australian 2005 Ashes tour. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/143819.html Ashes squad set to be named] Cricket Archvie. Retrieved 15 December 2007] On this tour, Tait made his Test debut, and played one other first-class match against Worcestershire. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/83/83155.html Worcestershire v Australians 2005] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007]

Tait missed the opening half of the 2005-06 Pura Cup season with an injury to his right shoulder which he sustained on the 2005 Ashes tour. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/220748.html Tait and Hogg miss Super Series] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007] He struggled on his return taking only 14 wickets at 38.35 in the 4 matches he played. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2005-06/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling averages for Pura Cup 2005-06] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Despite this, Tait was still named a part of the Australia A squad to play in the 2006 Top End Series. While he failed to pick up any wickets against Pakistan A [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/98/98199.html Australia A v Pakistan A 2006] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] , he managed to take 3/67 in India A's first innings. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/98/98184.html Australia A v India A 2006] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Tait also had a strong first-class season in 2006-07 taking 29 wickets at 27.10. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Events/AUS/Pura_Cup_2006-07/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Pura Cup 2006/07 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] He also played a first-class match against the touring English side and took 3/87, including the wickets of Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/98/98965.html South Australia v England XI] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007] Due to his good season, he won the Lord Hampden Trophy for South Australia's best player for 2006-07. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/289980.html Tait voted South Australia's best] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007]

An elbow injury kept Tait out for the opening parts of the 2007-08 Pura Cup season, [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/315066.html Redbacks wait on Tait] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007] however upon recovery a match against Queensland at the Brisbane Cricket Ground saw him take his first 10 wicket haul in first-class cricket. He took 3/69 in the first innings and 7/29 in the second, his best ever first-class figures. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/124/124267.html Queensland v South Australia 2007/08] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 15 December 2007]

List A cricket

Tait made his List A debut on 1 February 2003 for South Australia against Western Australia. South Australia lost the match and Tait failed to take a wicket, however he was economical in his 7 overs, taking 0/29. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/76/76461.html South Australia v Western Australia ING Cup 2002/03] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 December 2007] While he only played one more List A match in the 2002-03 season, Tait was an important fixture for South Australia in the 2003-04 season.

Tait was South Australia's leading wicket taker, and the second leading wicket taker overall in the 2003-04 ING Cup with 18 wickets at an average of 19.61. The highlight of the season for Tait was undoubtedly his record breaking haul of 8/43 against Tasmania on 9 January 2004. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/78/78785.html South Australia v Tasmania ING Cup 2003/04] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 December 2007] These were the best ever figures by an Australian in List A cricket, and the 8th best List A figures of all time. [ [http://www.cricketarchive.com/Archive/Records/ListA/Overall/Best_Innings_Bowling.html Seven or More Wickets in a ListA Match] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 17 December 2007] In the same season Tait played a One Day match for the Prime Minister's XI against the touring Indians in a team captained by Steve Waugh [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/137684.html Prime Minister's XI team to play India announced] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 December 2007] and was also a part of the Australia A team that took on Zimbabwe in January 2004. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/137278.html Zimbabweans squeak home by eight runs] Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 December 2007] 2004-05 saw Tait lead the wicket-taking list in the ING Cup as he took 21 wickets at an average of 19.90. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Events/AUS/ING_Cup_2004-05/Bowling_by_Wickets.html Bowling in ING Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Wickets)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 8 January 2008] , and in 2005-06 his 14 wickets at 13.28 assisted South Australia in reaching the final. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Events/AUS/ING_Cup_2005-06/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling by Average 2005-06] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 8 January 2008] Despite the Redbacks losing the final by 1 wicket, Tait provided an excellent performance after his team posted a relatively small target of 154, claiming 6/41 off 10 overs. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/85/85078.html South Australia v New South Wales ING Cup 2005/06 (Final)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 8 January 2008]

In 2006-07, Tait once again earned selection for Australia A for the Top End Series against Indian and New Zealand A sides, and claimed 12 wickets at 21.08 during the Ford Ranger Cup. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Events/AUS/Ford_Ranger_Cup_2006-07/Bowling_by_Average.html Bowling in Ford Ranger Cup 2006/07 (Ordered by Average)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 8 January 2008] Tait has once again been consistent in the 2007-08 Ford Ranger Cup, taking 9 wickets at 18.88 in the 4 matches he has played. [ [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Events/AUS/Ford_Ranger_Cup_2007-08/Bowling_by_Wickets.html Bowling in Ford Ranger Cup 2007/08 (Ordered by Wickets)] Cricket Archive. Retrieved 8 January 2008]

International career

Test cricket

Tait was named in Australia's Test squad to tour Sri Lanka in 2004 as a replacement for the injured Brett Lee. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/139907.html Shaun Tait replaces Lee] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008] Tait didn't play a Test on the tour, however after an impressive domestic summer, in April 2005 Tait was named in Australia's squad to tour England for the 2005 Ashes series. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/143819.html Ashes squad set to be named] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008.]

Tait made his Test debut against England on 25 August 2005 at Trent Bridge. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/engine/match/216994.html The Ashes - 4th Test England v Australia] Cricinfo. Retrieved 8 January 2008] Some suggested that Tait should've played in the first Test of the series, [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/213056.html Tait waits in the wings] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008] but it was injury to Glenn McGrath and the poor form of Jason Gillespie that gave Tait his chance. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/217130.html Tait comes of age] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008] Tait bowled 24 overs and took 3/97 in his first innings, the best figures of any Australian fast bowler in the match. Tait's first Test wicket was that of Marcus Trescothick. He also picked up the scalps of England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and batsman Ian Bell. While Tait went wicketless in the second innings, he held his spot to play in the final Test of the Ashes series at The Oval, taking 1/61 in the first innings and 1/28 in the second. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/engine/match/218383.html The Ashes - 5th Test England v Australia] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008]

Tait injured his shoulder ahead of the Super Series against the ICC World XI, and as a result was ruled out of playing any of the matches. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/220748.html Tait and Hogg miss Super Series] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008] Despite calls from Jason Gillespie and Ian Chappell for his inclusion in the side for the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia, Tait didn't get a place in the team with the selectors opting for Stuart Clark who proved effective and quashed hope of Tait cracking the side for a while longer. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/263642.html Gillespie urges selectors to pick Tait or Johnson] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008] [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/268983.html Lee and Tait should bowl together - Chappell] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008]

Tait was selected in the 13 man squad for Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in November 2007, [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/317895.html MacGill, Hogg and Jaques in Test squad] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008] however his ongoing elbow injury forced him out, being replaced by Ben Hilfenhaus, with Mitchell Johnson making his Test debut. [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/318418.html Hilfenhaus replaces injured Tait] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 April 2008] Having returned to fitness in December, he once again earned a spot in the Australian squad, this time for the Test series against India. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/326134.html Hogg and Tait push for Test place] Cricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008] While there was some suggestion that Australia might use Tait in a four pronged pace-attack as early as the first Test, [ [http://www.smh.com.au/news/cricket/flat-out-at-mcg/2007/11/27/1196036891955.html Fit Tait pushes case for all-out pace attack against India] Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2008] [ [http://sify.com/sports/fullstory.php?id=14568145 Australia may test India with four-pronged pace attack] Sify Sport. Retrieved 9 January 2008] spinner Brad Hogg was selected over for Tait for the first two tests. Tait was eventually chosen above Hogg for the third test, with the WACA wicket expected to suit. Although seam and swing dominated the short match, the pitch was criticised and an underdone Tait failed to take a wicket in his 21 overs. [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/ausvind/content/story/332480.html Tait expects to be dropped] Cricinfo. Retrieved 15 April 2008]

One Day International cricket

Tait made his One Day International debut on 2 February 2007 against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 2006-07 Commonwealth Bank Series. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/engine/match/249235.html Australia v England Commonwealth Bank Series - 10th Match] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] Tait claimed 2/68 off 10 overs on debut and his first One Day International wicket was that of Ed Joyce. He was much more economical against New Zealand at the MCG, bowling a miserly 1/26 from 10 overs and clocking 160 km/h on the radar. Tait played no more games for the series, finishing with 3 wickets at an average of 31.33. [ [http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2006-07/OD_TOURNEYS/CBS/STATS/CBS_JAN-FEB2007_ODI_BOWL.html Commonwealth Bank Series, 2006-07 Bowling Averages] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008]

Later that month, Tait was selected as a part of Australia's squad to take on New Zealand for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in New Zealand. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/nzvaus/content/squad/279709.html Australia One-Day Squad Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, 2006/07] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] Tait was selected for the final two games of the series, which were batsman dominated. He took a mere 2 wickets at an average of 62.00 as New Zealand chased down scores of over 300 twice and whitewashed a very understrength Australia. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/series/251039.html Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2006–07 Retrieved 15 April 2008]

Despite his lack of matches in the Chappell-Hadlee series, Tait was selected in Australia's 15-man squad for the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/280166.html Tait and Haddin in World Cup squad] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] As a result, both his greatest goals in cricket had been achieved, having already played two Ashes tests in 2005. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/sa/content/2005/s1343783.htm Transcript - Nairne boy on his way to Lords] ABC News. Retrieved 11 January 2008]

Tait wasn't originally expected to play a large part in the World Cup, however with Brett Lee ruled out for the tournament due to an ankle injury, [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/story/281294.html Lee out of World Cup] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] a relatively inexperienced Tait assumed Lee's mantle as the spearhead of the bowling attack. Despite the added pressure, Tait performed to much acclaim in the World Cup, finishing the tournament as the equal second leading wicket-taker with 23 wickets at an average of 20.30. [ [http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=2403;type=tournament Most wickets - ICC World Cup, 2006/07] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/289671.html Tait comes of age to cover Lee loss] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] Tait's best efforts of the tournament included a Man of the Match performance against England in a Super 8s match at Antigua in which he claimed 3/41 off 10 overs, [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/match/247491.html ICC World Cup - 35th Match, Super Eights - Australia v England] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] as well as 4/39 off 10 overs, his best One Day International figures at the time, against a strong South African team in the Semi Final at St Lucia. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/match/247506.html Australia v South Africa ICC World Cup - 2nd Semi Final] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] While Tait went wicketless in a rain affected Final against Sri Lanka, [ [http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/wc2007/engine/current/match/247507.html Australia v Sri Lanka ICC World Cup - Final] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] Australia won the match and Tait's efforts throughout the tournament helped Australia secure their third consecutive and fourth overall Cricket World Cup title in the "most dominant campaign" by a team in World Cup history. [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/wc2007/content/current/story/292681.html Gilchrist leads Australia to World Cup treble] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008]

Tait missed the Australian cricket team's tour of India in October 2007 due to a complicated recovery after elbow surgery in June 2007 [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/298444.html Tait to have elbow surgery] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] however once he recovered he gained selection ahead of Stuart Clark for the 2007-08 Chappell-Hadlee series in December 2007. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/323988.html Tait recalled while Clark misses out] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] In a series in which his bowling action was questioned, [ [http://sify.com/sports/fullstory.php?id=14575545 Vettori raises doubts on Tait's action] Sify. Retrieved 11 January 2008] [ [http://content-www.cricinfo.com/baggygreen/content/story/325244.html Tait's action under scrutiny by New Zealand] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008] Tait performed well, taking 5 wickets at an average of 17.80. [ [http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/bowling/most_wickets_career.html?id=3162;type=series Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, 2007/08 - Most wickets] Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008]

abbatical

On 29 January 2008, Tait announced that he would take an indefinite break from cricket, citing being physically and emotionally exhausted. He stated, "A break from professional cricket will hopefully give me a clear mind and a chance for my body to rest and recover." [AAP (2008). [http://www.theage.com.au/news/cricket/shaun-tait-quits/2008/01/29/1201369124547.html Test bowler Tait quits cricket] . Retrieved January 29, 2008.] In March 2008 Tait claimed he was "feeling normal again" and was aiming for a comeback at the start of the 2008-09 season. [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/342314.html Happier Tait on slow road to recovery] Cricinfo. Retrieved 2 April 2008] [ [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/story/341394.html Tait eyes start of next season for comeback] Cricinfo. Retrieved 2 April 2008] The chances of Tait's comeback became even more probable after he was named on the Cricket Australia contract list for the 2008-09 season. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/baggygreen/content/story/345640.html Bollinger and Marsh receive contracts] Cricinfo. Retrieved on April 14 2008.] Tait has plans to prepare for his return to Australian cricket by playing Domestic Twenty20 cricket in England in the 2008 season. [ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/baggygreen/content/story/345762.html Tait has 'massive desire to come back'] Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 April 2008]

Tait has been called up for a tour with Australia A. He was successful during this tour, picking up figures of 3/27 in a match against India A.

Awards

* Donald Bradman Young Cricket of the Year: 2004
* Lord Hampden Trophy: 2007
* ICC Emerging Player of the Year: 2007
* Australian Cricketers' Association All-star Ford Ranger Cup team: 2007-08

External links

* [http://www.pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Players/17/17501/17501.html Cricket Archive Profile of Shaun Tait]
* [http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/australia/content/player/8076.html Cricinfo Profile of Shaun Tait]

References