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Tait
Patrick Compton
IT was unlikely that Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait would turn out for the Dolphins in the franchise Twenty20 competition starting next month, said the CEO of the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union, Jesse Chellan.
Tait, who is currently playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the Aussie Big Bash competition, apparently needs an operation to his right elbow, according to Chellan, and is “unlikely” to come to Durban.
Tait and West Indian batsman Chris Gayle have been contracted to represent the Dolphins for next month’s competition.
“Tait’s agent informed us last week that he was in discomfort,” said Chellan. “We should have confirmation later this week.”
Perhaps Tait’s injury will prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Dolphins because the 28-year-old fast bowler with the slinging action has been particularly expensive in the Big Bash to date, capturing only four wickets in five matches and conceding more than 10 runs an over. In his last match against the Melbourne Stars last weekend, Tait took 1/31 in three overs.
Chellan said the franchise was now hunting for a late replacement for Tait. He assured fans there were no such problems with Gayle, who is expected in Durban next month.
The big-hitting left-handed opener is one of the leading batsmen in the Big Bash, having scored 232 runs – including a century – at an average of 58 for his team, the Sydney Thunder. His strike rate, unsurprisingly, is a handsome 153 runs per 100 balls faced.
There was more bad news for the Dolphins yesterday when Cricket SA refused to release their leg-spinner, Imran Tahir, for the SuperSport Series match against the Cobras in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday.
Tahir, who has not been included in the Proteas’ ODI squad for the forthcoming series against Sri Lanka, would have been a crucial strike bowler for the home team on a spin-friendly square where pace bowlers have only taken one wicket in the last three matches.
It is understood that Tahir is suffering from a number of niggles, although judging by his exuberant celebrations at Newlands last week, these can hardly be regarded as serious.
