All News


Tait to replace injured Hauritz

Updated June 25, 2010 19:58:00

Experienced campaigner...Shaun Tait. (file photo)

Experienced campaigner...Shaun Tait. (file photo) (Getty Images: Robert Prezioso)

Limited-overs pace specialist Shaun Tait will cover for spinner Nathan Hauritz for Australia's remaining one-day internationals against England.

Hauritz will return home to recover from a niggling foot injury that bothered him in Australia's two 50-over losses in Southampton and Cardiff this week.

There is no definite timeline for his return to training.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said in a statement that Tait's pace was also insurance for Queensland quick Ryan Harris, who reported groin soreness in the first one-dayer.

"Shaun is still very much in the thoughts [of the selection panel] for the upcoming ICC World Cup, and these games present Shaun with a great opportunity to again represent Australia in one-day cricket," he said.

Harris' injury will continue to be monitored.

Tait has not played a one-day international for Australia in 16 months and had been largely considered a Twenty20 specialist because of his ongoing battles with fitness.

He has been with Cardiff-based side Glamorgan for the Twenty20 county season this northern summer and has played seven matches for the Welsh side to date.

Tait's close proximity combined with Hauritz's injury, the lack of cutting edge in the current attack and concerns over Ryan Harris' groin complaint proved too much for the national selectors to ignore.

With Australia's inexperienced attack missing the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Brett Lee, it looms as a chance for Tait to rejuvenate his 50-over career ahead of next year's World Cup on the sub-continent.

- ABC/AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, australia, united-kingdom, england, wales

First posted June 25, 2010 19:44:00