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Shaun Tait

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Shaun Tait
Tait in 2009
Personal information
Full name
Shaun William Tait
Born (1983-02-22) 22 February 1983 (age 41)
Nairne, South Australia
NicknameSloon, Wild Thing
Height1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast
RoleBowler
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 392)25 August 2005 v England
Last Test16 January 2008 v India
ODI debut2 February 2007 v England
Last ODI24 March 2011 v India
ODI shirt no.35
T20I debut11 December 2007 v New Zealand
Last T20I31 January 2016 v India
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2002/03–2014/15South Australia
2004Durham
2010–2013Rajasthan Royals
2010, 2016Glamorgan
2011/12Mid West Rhinos
2011/12Melbourne Renegades
2012/13–2013/14Wellington
2012/13–2014/15Adelaide Strikers
2013Chittagong Kings
2013, 2015Essex
2015/16–2016/17Hobart Hurricanes
2016Peshawar Zalmi
2016Kolkata Knight Riders
Career statistics
Competition Test ODI FC LA
Matches 3 35 50 101
Runs scored 20 250 509 110
Batting average 6.66 12.50 12.41 6.11
100s/50s 0/0 0/0 0/2 0/0
Top score 8 16 68 22*
Balls bowled 414 1688 9263 5,063
Wickets 5 62 198 182
Bowling average 60.40 23.56 28.59 23.84
5 wickets in innings 0 0 7 3
10 wickets in match 0 0 1 0
Best bowling 3/97 4/39 7/29 8/43
Catches/stumpings 1/– 48/– 65/– 23/–
Medal record
Men's Cricket
Representing  Australia
ICC Cricket World Cup
Winner 2007 West Indies
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 10 May 2019

Shaun Tait (born 22 February 1983) is a former Australian professional cricketer who was appointed as the bowling coach of the Pakistan national cricket team in February 2022.[1] He played as a right arm fast bowler[2] and represented Australia in all three forms of cricket, but had most success in One Day Internationals, in which he was a member of Australia's undefeated team at the 2007 Cricket World Cup, and Twenty20 cricket. Tait won four different awards throughout his career including the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year in 2004.[3] He is considered one of the fastest bowlers of all time.

Tait retired from Test cricket in 2009,[4] and later from One Day Internationals in March 2011,[5] to concentrate on playing T20 cricket. In March 2017, Tait announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.[6]

Bowling style

[edit]

Tait's delivery action was a sling style reminiscent of former Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson's action.[7][8][9] Dubbed "The Wild Thing", during his career Tait was considered one of the fastest bowlers in the world,[10][11] regularly bowling at speeds up to 155 km/h.[12][13] During a Twenty20 international match in February 2010 Tait bowled a ball measured at 160.7 km/h, the fastest ball ever recorded in Australia.[14][15] Tait has often been described as "erratic" and is capable of bowling many extras,[16] although his unpredictability can be a positive factor in dismissing batsmen.[2][17] Tait has also been criticised as being "expensive."[18]

After a Twenty20 match against New Zealand on 11 December 2007, in which Tait troubled the batsmen and took 2/22,[19] New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori and coach John Bracewell publicly raised doubts over the legality of Tait's bowling action.[20] Tait labelled the comments as a "disgrace" and added that he would be willing to undergo tests to prove his action was legal.[21]

Early career

[edit]

Tait played for South Australia throughout his first-class career, also playing for Australia A and, in 2004, for Durham County Cricket Club in England.[2] He took almost 200 first-class wickets[2] after making his first-class debut at the age of 19 against Western Australia in December 2002 at Adelaide Oval. He only bowled in one innings on debut, taking three wickets for the cost of 77 runs (3/77) from 22.2 overs.[22] Tait played five matches during his first season, taking 20 wickets at a bowling average of 22.55 runs per wicket.[23] He made his List A debut in February 2003 and as a result of his strong first season, was awarded a place at the Australian Cricket Academy alongside players such as Ben Hilfenhaus and Luke Ronchi.[24]

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 his season was his record-breaking haul of 8/43 against Tasmania on 9 January 2004.[25] These were the best figures by an Australian in List A cricket, and the eighth-best List A figures of all time.[26] He was selected in the Australia A team to take on the touring India side. He took 3/85 in the Indians' first innings.[27] He once again had a strong Sheffield Shield season, taking 30 wickets at an average of 28.33 [28] and he was awarded the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award.

In July 2004, Tait was signed by Durham County Cricket Club for the second half of the English County Championship season.[29] His first match was against a Somerset side captained by fellow Australian Ricky Ponting, although he did not take a wicket and bowled 21 no balls in his 12 overs.[30] Tait only played one more first-class match for Durham before returning to Australia.

Tait was awarded his first Cricket Australia central-contract for the 2004–05 season, being included ahead of Queensland fast bowler Andy Bichel.[31] Tait repaid the selectors' faith in him by having his best season to date; he took 65 first-class wickets at an average of 20.16,[32] surpassing Clarrie Grimmett's record for most wickets in a season for a South Australian bowler.[33]

After missing the opening half of the 2005–06 domestic season with an injury to his right shoulder, sustained on the Ashes tour,[34] Tait struggled on his return, taking only 14 wickets at 38.35 in the four matches in which he was able to play.[35] Despite this, he was still named as part of the Australia A squad to play in the 2006 Top End Series. A strong season in 2006–07, taking 29 wickets at 27.10,[36] saw him win the Lord Hampden Trophy for South Australia's player of the season.[37]

An elbow injury kept Tait out for the opening parts of the 2007–08 Sheffield Shield season,[38] however, upon recovery, a match against Queensland at the Brisbane Cricket Ground saw him take his first 10-wicket haul. He took 3/69 in the first innings and 7/29 in the second, his best first-class figures.[39]

International debut

[edit]

Tait was named in Australia's Test squad to tour Sri Lanka in 2004 as a replacement for the injured Brett Lee,[40] although he did not play in a Test on the tour. After an impressive domestic summer, in April 2005 he was named in Australia's squad to tour England for the 2005 Ashes series[41] and made his Test match debut against England on 25 August 2005 at Trent Bridge in the fourth match of the series.[42] Some suggested that Tait should have played in the first Test of the series,[43] but an injury to Glenn McGrath and the poor form of Jason Gillespie gave Tait his chance later in the series.[44] Tait bowled 24 overs and took 3/97 in his first innings, the best figures of any Australian fast bowler in the match. While he 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.[45]

A shoulder injury ahead of the Super Series against the ICC World XI, saw Tait ruled out of playing[46] and despite calls from Jason Gillespie and Ian Chappell for his inclusion in the side for the 2006–07 Ashes series in Australia, he did not get a place in the team with the selectors opting for Stuart Clark.[47][48]

Tait made his One Day International debut in February 2007 against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 2006–07 Commonwealth Bank Series.[49] Later that month, he was selected as a part of Australia's squad to take on New Zealand for the 2006–07 Chappell–Hadlee Trophy in New Zealand.[50] Tait was selected for the final two games of the series, taking two wickets as New Zealand chased down scores of over 300 twice and whitewashed a strong Australian team.[51]

Tait was selected in Australia's 15-man squad for the 2007 Cricket World Cup in the West Indies.[52] Although he was not expected to play a major role in the Australian side, an injury to Brett Lee[53] meant that 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.[54][55] This included a Player of the Match performance against England in which he claimed 3/41,[56] and taking 4/39 against a strong South African team in the semi-final.[57] He went wicketless in a rain affected final against Sri Lanka,[58] but Australia won the tournament in what was described as the "most dominant campaign" by a team in World Cup history.[59]

Tait bowling in the Adelaide Oval nets, January 2009

Tait was selected in the 13-man squad for Sri Lanka's tour of Australia in November 2007,[60] however his ongoing elbow injury forced him out, being replaced by Ben Hilfenhaus.[61] Having returned to fitness in December, he once again earned a spot in the Australian squad, this time for the series against India.[62] While there was some suggestion that Australia might use Tait in a four pronged pace-attack as early as the first Test,[63][64] spinner Brad Hogg was selected over Tait for the first two Tests. Tait was eventually chosen in place of Hogg for the third Test, with the WACA wicket expected to suit his fast bowling. He went wicketless; his claims to "bowl over" the Indian team had backfired and he announced that he would take an indefinite break from cricket after the match.[65]

Sabbatical

[edit]

In 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."[66] In March he said he was "feeling normal again" and was aiming for a comeback at the start of the 2008–09 season.[67][68] He was awarded a central-contract for the season.[69]

In February 2009, the Rajasthan Royals of the Indian Premier League bought Tait,[70] although he later withdrew from the tournament following an injury. In May 2009 Cricket Australia announced that Tait would not have his contract renewed for the 2009–10 season. Tait described this as "a kick in the teeth".[71] Following the withdrawal of Andrew Symonds' contract after he was sent back from Britain before the 2009 ICC World Twenty20, Tait was given a replacement contract.

2010 to retirement

[edit]

In 2009, Tait gave up first-class cricket indefinitely[4] to focus on the shorter forms of the game. He played in Australia's one-day squad in 2010 and rejoined the Australian one-day squad for the 2011 Cricket World Cup, playing in seven games and taking 11 wickets before the side lost to India in the quarter-finals. Following Australia's exit from the tournament, Tait announced his retirement from 50-over cricket, stating that he intended to focus on playing Twenty20 cricket.[72]

He played in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan between 2010 and 2013, in the Australian Big Bash League for Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes, in the United Kingdom for Glamorgan and Essex County Cricket Clubs and for sides in a number of other leagues around the world until his retirement from cricket in 2017. During the 2015–16 Big Bash season, he bowled an economical spell of 3/16 for Hobart[73] and was recalled to the national team for the T20 International series against India, but missed selection for the 2016 ICC World Twenty20 after failing to take a wicket in the two matches he played.[74] Tait announced his retirement from playing in March 2017 due to a chronic elbow injury.[75][76]

Coaching

[edit]
Tait as bowling consultant of the Afghanistan cricket team in 2021

In August 2021 Tait was appointed as a bowling consultant to the Afghanistan national cricket team.[77][78] At the end of the same year he resigned from the post[79] and in February 2022 was appointed as the bowling coach of the Pakistan national cricket team for 12 months.[80]

Career best performances

[edit]
Bowling
Score Fixture Venue Season
Test 3/97 Australia v England Trent Bridge, Nottingham 2005[81]
ODI 4/39 Australia v South Africa Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, Saint Lucia 2006/07[82]
T20I 3/13 Australia v Pakistan MCG, Melbourne 2009/10[83]
FC 7/29 South Australia v Queensland Gabba, Brisbane 2007/08[84]
LA 8/43 South Australia v Tasmania Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 2003/04[85]
T20 5/32 South Australia v Royal Challengers Bangalore M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore 2011/12[86]

Personal life

[edit]

In August 2013, Tait became engaged to Indian model and entrepreneur Mashoom Singha.[87][88] They were married in June 2014 in Mumbai.[89] In March 2017, Tait announced that he had become an overseas citizen of India.[90]

Awards

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pak vs Aus: PCB appoints Australian great Shaun Tait as bowling coach". ESPNcricinfo. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Shaun Tait – ESPNcricinfo Profile ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  3. ^ "The next Brett Lee?". Rediff. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b "'Fresh' Tait sets sights on Akhtar's record". ESPNcricinfo. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  5. ^ Australia news: Shaun Tait retires from ODIs as a faded force | Australia Cricket News. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2013-12-23.
  6. ^ "Shaun Tait retires from all cricket". ESPNcricinfo. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  7. ^ Thommo welcomes fellow slinger Fox Sport News. Retrieved 12 January 2008
  8. ^ Tait a raw talent BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 January 2008
  9. ^ Shaun 'hits to hurt' Fox Sport News. Retrieved 12 January 2008
  10. ^ Gillespie, Tait 'ready for Test recall' The Age. Retrieved 12 January 2008
  11. ^ Hodge's timing is perfect The Age. Retrieved 12 January 2008
  12. ^ Tait bearing down on Johnson, Hogg Archived 18 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine The Australian. Retrieved 12 January 2008
  13. ^ Tait looking for opportunity to team up with Lee The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2008
  14. ^ Tait leads Australia's great escape ESPNcricinfo retrieved on 6 February 2010
  15. ^ Tait sets his sights on India's batsmen Brisbane Times. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  16. ^ Tait to make big impact at Cup: Ponting ABC News. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  17. ^ Shaun Tait on Fire The Age. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  18. ^ Shaun Tait The Age. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  19. ^ Australia v New Zealand at Perth ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  20. ^ Tait's action under scrutiny by New Zealand ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  21. ^ Kiwi chuck claim enrages Tait Fox Sports News. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  22. ^ South Australia v Western Australia Pura Cup 2002–03 Archived 7 September 2012 at archive.today CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  23. ^ "Bowling in Pura Cup 2002/03 (Ordered by Average)". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  24. ^ ACB and AIS announce 2003 Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy scholars ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  25. ^ South Australia v Tasmania ING Cup 2003/04 Archived 10 September 2012 at archive.today CricketArchive. Retrieved 17 December 2007
  26. ^ Seven or More Wickets in a ListA Match Archived 29 January 2017 at the Wayback Machine CricketArchive. Retrieved 17 December 2007
  27. ^ "Australia A v Indians, Bellerive Oval, Hobart on 19th, 20th, 21st December 2003". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  28. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2003/04 (Ordered by Average) Archived 9 September 2012 at archive.today CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  29. ^ Tait on his way to Durham. CricketArchive. Retrieved 5 December 2007
  30. ^ Durham v Somerset 2004 Archived 9 September 2012 at archive.today CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  31. ^ The end for Bevan and Bichel? CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  32. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2004/05 (Ordered by Average) Archived 8 September 2012 at archive.today CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  33. ^ Tait record helps Redbacks avoid wooden spoon ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  34. ^ Tait and Hogg miss Super Series ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  35. ^ Bowling averages for Pura Cup 2005–06 CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  36. ^ Bowling in Pura Cup 2006/07 (Ordered by Average) Archived 8 September 2012 at archive.today CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  37. ^ Tait voted South Australia's best ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  38. ^ Redbacks wait on Tait ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  39. ^ Queensland v South Australia 2007/08 Archived 5 September 2012 at archive.today CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 December 2007
  40. ^ Shaun Tait replaces Lee ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  41. ^ Ashes squad set to be named ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008.
  42. ^ The Ashes – 4th Test England v Australia ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 8 January 2008
  43. ^ Tait waits in the wings ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  44. ^ Tait comes of age ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  45. ^ The Ashes – 5th Test England v Australia ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  46. ^ Tait and Hogg miss Super Series ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  47. ^ Gillespie urges selectors to pick Tait or Johnson ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  48. ^ Lee and Tait should bowl together – Chappell ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  49. ^ Australia v England Commonwealth Bank Series – 10th Match ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  50. ^ Australia One-Day Squad Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, 2006/07 ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  51. ^ "Results - Global". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 April 2019.
  52. ^ Tait and Haddin in World Cup squad ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  53. ^ Lee out of World Cup ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  54. ^ Most wickets – ICC World Cup, 2006/07 ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  55. ^ Tait comes of age to cover Lee loss ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  56. ^ ICC World Cup – 35th Match, Super Eights – Australia v England ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  57. ^ Australia v South Africa ICC World Cup – 2nd Semi Final ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  58. ^ Australia v Sri Lanka ICC World Cup – Final ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  59. ^ Gilchrist leads Australia to World Cup treble ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 January 2008
  60. ^ MacGill, Hogg and Jaques in Test squad ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  61. ^ Hilfenhaus replaces injured Tait ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 April 2008
  62. ^ Hogg and Tait push for Test place ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  63. ^ Fit Tait pushes case for all-out pace attack against India The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 January 2008
  64. ^ "McGrath happy with four fast men on Boxing Day". ESPNcricinfo. 11 December 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  65. ^ Tait expects to be dropped ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 April 2008
  66. ^ AAP (2008). Test bowler Tait quits cricket. Retrieved 29 January 2008.
  67. ^ Happier Tait on slow road to recovery ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 April 2008
  68. ^ Tait eyes start of next season for comeback ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2 April 2008
  69. ^ Bollinger and Marsh receive contracts ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  70. ^ "Shaun Tait in doubt for IPL start". The Advertiser. Adelaide. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  71. ^ A kick in the teeth, says disillusioned Tait ABC News. Retrieved 15 May 2009
  72. ^ "Cricket World Cup 2011: Australia's Shaun Tait retires from one-day cricket". The Daily Telegraph. 28 March 2011.
  73. ^ "Hobart Hurricanes paceman Shaun Tait touted for World T20 after brilliant Big Bash performance". ABC News. 2 January 2016.
  74. ^ Cameron, Louis (9 February 2016). "The players who missed the cut for the WT20". Cricket Australia.
  75. ^ Smith, Martin (27 March 2017). "The Wild Thing announces retirement". Cricket Australia.
  76. ^ "Australian cricketer Shaun Tait retires from all forms of cricket". The Indian Express. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  77. ^ "Shaun Tait appointed Afghanistan's bowling coach". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  78. ^ ANI (9 August 2021). "Shaun Tait appointed Afghanistan bowling coach". Sportstar. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  79. ^ "Shaun Tait quits as Afghanistan fast-bowling consultant with immediate effect". ESPNcricinfo. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  80. ^ "Saqlain to continue as Pakistan head coach; Tait appointed fast-bowling coach for 12 months". ESPNcricinfo. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  81. ^ "Australia tour of England and Scotland, 2005 – England v Australia Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  82. ^ "ICC World Cup, 2007: 2nd Semi-Final – Australia v South Africa Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. 25 April 2007. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  83. ^ "Pakistan tour of Australia, 2009/10 – Australia v Pakistan Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  84. ^ "Pura Cup, 2007/08 – QLD v SA Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. 2 December 2007. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  85. ^ "ING Cup, 2003/04 – SA v TAS Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  86. ^ "Nokia Champions League T20, 2011/12 – South Australia v Royal Challengers Bangalore Scorecard". ESPNcricinfo. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  87. ^ "Shaun Tait celebrates engagement with country cricket hat trick". News AU. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  88. ^ Shaun Tait gets engaged to model-turned-businesswoman Mashoom Singha | Cricket | NDTVSports.com Archived 15 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Sports.ndtv.com (10 August 2013). Retrieved 2013-12-23.
  89. ^ "Shaun Tait marries Indian model Mashoom Singha" (in Hindi). Patrika Group. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  90. ^ "Australian Pacer Shaun Tait Becomes Overseas Citizen of India – NDTV Sports". NDTVSports.com. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
[edit]
Preceded by Emerging Player of the Year
2007 		Succeeded by
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