Shaun Tait

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Shaun Tait
Australia
Personal information
Full name Shaun William Tait
Nickname Sloon, Tinga, The Wild Thing
Born 22 February 1983 (1983-02-22) (age 25)
Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Role Bowler
Batting style Right-hand bat
Bowling style Right-arm fast
International information
Test debut (cap 392) 25 August 2005: v England
Last Test 16 January 2008: v India
ODI debut (cap 162) 2 February 2007: v England
Last ODI 20 December 2007: v New Zealand
ODI shirt no. 32
Domestic team information
Years Team
2002 - South Australia
2004 Durham
Career statistics
Tests ODIs FC List A
Matches 3 18 46 61
Runs scored 20 11 455 65
Batting average 6.66 11.00 11.66 6.50
100s/50s 0/0 0/0 0/2 0/0
Top score 4 11 68 22*
Balls bowled 414 849 8,409 3,029
Wickets 5 33 185 116
Bowling average 60.40 23.45 27.73 21.79
5 wickets in innings 0 0 7 2
10 wickets in match 0 n/a 1 n/a
Best bowling 3/97 4/39 7/29 8/43
Catches/stumpings 1/– 2/– 12/– 11/–

As of 29 January 2008
Source: cricinfo.com

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.[1]

Contents

[edit] 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.[2][3][4] Dubbed "The Wild Thing", Tait is considered one of the fastest bowlers in the world[5][6] and delivers the ball with phenomenal speed, at around 150km/h, and occasionally faster.[7][8] One delivery was measured at 160km/h in an One Day International on 4 February 2007 against New Zealand.[9] Despite his speed, Tait has often been described as "erratic" and is capable of bowling many extras.[10] His unpredictability, however, is seen as a weapon to some, and his exceptional strike rate seems to confirm this.[11][12] Tait has also been criticised as "expensive"[13], 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.[14][15][16]

After a Twenty20 match against New Zealand on December 11, 2007, in which Tait troubled the batsmen and took 2/22,[17] New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and coach John Bracewell publicly raised doubts over the legality of Tait's bowling action.[18] Tait labelled the comments as a "disgrace" and added that he'd be willing to undergo tests to prove his action is legal.[19] 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.[20]

[edit] Domestic career

[edit] 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.[1] He has taken over 150 first-class wickets at a strike rate of under 50.[1]

At the age of nineteen, Tait made his first-class debut for South Australia against Western Australia on December 19, 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.[21] Tait played 5 games in his first season, taking 20 wickets at an average of 22.55.[22] 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.[23]

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.[24] Tait once again had a strong Pura Cup season, taking 30 wickets at 28.33.[25] 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.[26] 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.[27]. 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.[28] 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.[29] 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[30], surpassing Clarrie Grimmett's record for most wickets in a season for a South Australian bowler.[31] 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.[32] His record breaking season helped him gain a place on the Australian 2005 Ashes tour.[33] On this tour, Tait made his Test debut, and played one other first-class match against Worcestershire.[34]

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.[35] He struggled on his return taking only 14 wickets at 38.35 in the 4 matches he played.[36] 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[37], he managed to take 3/67 in India A's first innings.[38] Tait also had a strong first-class season in 2006-07 taking 29 wickets at 27.10.[39] 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.[40] Due to his good season, he won the Lord Hampden Trophy for South Australia's best player for 2006-07.[41]

An elbow injury kept Tait out for the opening parts of the 2007-08 Pura Cup season,[42] 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.[43]

[edit] List A cricket

Tait made his List A debut on February 1, 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.[44] 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 January 9, 2004.[45] These were the best ever figures by an Australian in List A cricket, and the 8th best List A figures of all time.[46] 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[47] and was also a part of the Australia A team that took on Zimbabwe in January 2004.[48] 2004-05 saw Tait lead the wicket-taking list in the ING Cup as he took 21 wickets at an average of 19.90.[49], and in 2005-06 his 14 wickets at 13.28 assisted South Australia in reaching the final.[50] 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.[51]

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.[52] 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.[53]

[edit] International career

[edit] Test cricket

Tait was named in Australia's Test squad to tour Sri Lanka in 2004 as a replacement for the injured Brett Lee.[54] 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.[55]

Tait made his Test debut against England on August 25, 2005 at Trent Bridge.[56] Some suggested that Tait should've played in the first Test of the series,[57] but it was injury to Glenn McGrath and the poor form of Jason Gillespie that gave Tait his chance.[58] 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.[59]

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.[60] 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.[61][62]

Tait was selected in the 13 man squad for Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in November 2007,[63] however his ongoing elbow injury forced him out, being replaced by Ben Hilfenhaus, with Mitchell Johnson making his Test debut.[64] Having returned to fitness in December, he once again earned a spot in the Australian squad, this time for the Test series against India.[65] While there was some suggestion that Australia might use Tait in a four pronged pace-attack as early as the first Test,[66][67] 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.[68]

[edit] 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. [69] 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 kph on the radar. Tait played no more games for the series, finishing with 3 wickets at an average of 31.33.[70]

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.[71] 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.[72]

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.[73] As a result, both his greatest goals in cricket had been achieved, having already played two Ashes tests in 2005.[74]

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,[75] 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.[76][77] 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,[78] 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.[79] While Tait went wicketless in a rain affected Final against Sri Lanka,[80] 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.[81]

Tait missed the Australian cricket team's tour of India in October 2007 due to a complicated recovery after elbow surgery in June 2007[82] however once he recovered he gained selection ahead of Stuart Clark for the 2007-08 Chappell-Hadlee series in December 2007.[83] In a series in which his bowling action was questioned,[84][85] Tait performed well, taking 5 wickets at an average of 17.80.[86]

[edit] Sabbatical

On January 29, 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."[87] In March 2008 Tait claimed he was "feeling normal again" and was aiming for a comeback at the start of the 2008-09 season.[88][89] 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.[90] Tait has plans to prepare for his return to Australian cricket by playing Domestic Twenty20 cricket in England in the 2008 season.[91]

[edit] Awards

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Shaun Tait - Cricinfo Profle Cricinfo. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  2. ^ Thommo welcomes fellow slinger Fox Sport News. Retrieved January 12, 2008
  3. ^ Tait a raw talent BBC Sport. Retrieved January 12, 2008
  4. ^ Shaun 'hits to hurt' Fox Sport News. Retrieved January 12, 2008
  5. ^ Gillespie, Tait 'ready for Test recall' The Age. Retrieved January 12, 2008
  6. ^ Hodge's timing is perfect The Age. Retrieved January 12, 2008
  7. ^ Tait bearing down on Johnson, Hogg The Australian. Retrieved January 12, 2008
  8. ^ Tait looking for opportunity to team up with Lee India Times. Retrieved January 12, 2008
  9. ^ Tait sets his sights on India's batsmen Brisbane Times. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  10. ^ Tait to make big impact at Cup: Ponting ABC News. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  11. ^ Shaun Tait on Fire The Age. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  12. ^ Shaun Tait - Cricinfo Profle Cricinfo. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  13. ^ Shaun Tait The Age. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  14. ^ Tait's Improvement Excites Ponting ABC News. Retrieved December 15, 2007.
  15. ^ Tait's world of broken bones, blood on pitch The Australian. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  16. ^ Australia allow Tait to have wide role Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  17. ^ Australia v New Zealand at Perth Cricinfo. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  18. ^ Tait's action under scrutiny by New Zealand Cricinfo. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  19. ^ Kiwi chuck claim enrages Tait Fox Sports News. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  20. ^ Australia v New Zealand at Adelaide Oval on 14 December 2007 Cricinfo. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  21. ^ South Australia v Western Australia Pura Cup 2002-03 Cricket Archive. Retrieved on December 15, 2007
  22. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2002/03 (Ordered by Average) Cricket Archive. Retrieved on December 15, 2007
  23. ^ ACB and AIS announce 2003 Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy scholars Cricinfo. Retrieved on December 15, 2007
  24. ^ Australia A v Indians 2003-04 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  25. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2003/04 (Ordered by Average) Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  26. ^ Shaun Tait called-up to replace the injured Brett Lee Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  27. ^ Tait on his way to Durham. Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 5, 2007
  28. ^ Durham v Somerset 2004 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  29. ^ The end for Bevan and Bichel? Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  30. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Average) Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  31. ^ Tait record helps Redbacks avoid wooden spoon Cricinfo. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  32. ^ South Australia v Queensland Pura Cup 2004/05 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  33. ^ Ashes squad set to be named Cricket Archvie. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  34. ^ Worcestershire v Australians 2005 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  35. ^ Tait and Hogg miss Super Series Cricinfo. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  36. ^ Bowling averages for Pura Cup 2005-06 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  37. ^ Australia A v Pakistan A 2006 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  38. ^ Australia A v India A 2006 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  39. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2006/07 (Ordered by Average) Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  40. ^ South Australia v England XI Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  41. ^ Tait voted South Australia's best Cricinfo. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  42. ^ Redbacks wait on Tait Cricinfo. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  43. ^ Queensland v South Australia 2007/08 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 15, 2007
  44. ^ South Australia v Western Australia ING Cup 2002/03 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 17, 2007
  45. ^ South Australia v Tasmania ING Cup 2003/04 Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 17, 2007
  46. ^ Seven or More Wickets in a ListA Match Cricket Archive. Retrieved December 17, 2007
  47. ^ Prime Minister's XI team to play India announced Cricinfo. Retrieved December 17, 2007
  48. ^ Zimbabweans squeak home by eight runs Cricinfo. Retrieved December 17, 2007
  49. ^ Bowling in ING Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved January 8, 2008
  50. ^ Bowling by Average 2005-06 Cricket Archive. Retrieved January 8, 2008
  51. ^ South Australia v New South Wales ING Cup 2005/06 (Final) Cricket Archive. Retrieved January 8, 2008
  52. ^ Bowling in Ford Ranger Cup 2006/07 (Ordered by Average) Cricket Archive. Retrieved January 8, 2008
  53. ^ Bowling in Ford Ranger Cup 2007/08 (Ordered by Wickets) Cricket Archive. Retrieved January 8, 2008
  54. ^ Shaun Tait replaces Lee Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  55. ^ Ashes squad set to be named Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008.
  56. ^ The Ashes - 4th Test England v Australia Cricinfo. Retrieved January 8, 2008
  57. ^ Tait waits in the wings Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  58. ^ Tait comes of age Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  59. ^ The Ashes - 5th Test England v Australia Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  60. ^ Tait and Hogg miss Super Series Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  61. ^ Gillespie urges selectors to pick Tait or Johnson Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  62. ^ Lee and Tait should bowl together - Chappell Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  63. ^ MacGill, Hogg and Jaques in Test squad Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  64. ^ Hilfenhaus replaces injured Tait Cricinfo. Retrieved April 15, 2008
  65. ^ Hogg and Tait push for Test place Cricinfo. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  66. ^ Fit Tait pushes case for all-out pace attack against India Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  67. ^ Australia may test India with four-pronged pace attack Sify Sport. Retrieved January 9, 2008
  68. ^ Tait expects to be dropped Cricinfo. Retrieved April 15, 2008
  69. ^ Australia v England Commonwealth Bank Series - 10th Match Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  70. ^ Commonwealth Bank Series, 2006-07 Bowling Averages Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  71. ^ Australia One-Day Squad Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, 2006/07 Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  72. ^ [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/series/251039.html Chappell-Hadlee Trophy 2006–07 Retrieved April 15, 2008
  73. ^ Tait and Haddin in World Cup squad Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  74. ^ Transcript - Nairne boy on his way to Lords ABC News. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  75. ^ Lee out of World Cup Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  76. ^ Most wickets - ICC World Cup, 2006/07 Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  77. ^ Tait comes of age to cover Lee loss Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  78. ^ ICC World Cup - 35th Match, Super Eights - Australia v England Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  79. ^ Australia v South Africa ICC World Cup - 2nd Semi Final Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  80. ^ Australia v Sri Lanka ICC World Cup - Final Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  81. ^ Gilchrist leads Australia to World Cup treble Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  82. ^ Tait to have elbow surgery Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  83. ^ Tait recalled while Clark misses out Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  84. ^ Vettori raises doubts on Tait's action Sify. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  85. ^ Tait's action under scrutiny by New Zealand Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  86. ^ Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, 2007/08 - Most wickets Cricinfo. Retrieved January 11, 2008
  87. ^ AAP (2008). Test bowler Tait quits cricket. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  88. ^ Happier Tait on slow road to recovery Cricinfo. Retrieved April 2, 2008
  89. ^ Tait eyes start of next season for comeback Cricinfo. Retrieved April 2, 2008
  90. ^ Bollinger and Marsh receive contracts Cricinfo. Retrieved on April 14 2008.
  91. ^ Tait has 'massive desire to come back' Cricinfo. Retrieved April 13, 2008
Preceded by
Ian Bell		 Emerging Player of the Year
2007		 Succeeded by
current holder
v • d • e
Australia squad - 2007 Cricket World Cup (4th title)
8 Clark • 11 McGrath • 14 Ponting (c) • 17 Hodge • 18 Gilchrist • 23 Clarke • 25 Johnson • 28 Hayden • 31 Hogg • 32 Tait • 33 Watson • 48 Hussey • 57 Haddin • 58 Lee • 59 Bracken • 63 Symonds • Coach: Buchanan
Brett Lee was named in the original squad but withdrew from the tournament and was replaced by Stuart Clark
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