Shaun Tait quits ODI format as Australian team returns home after World Cup failure
Australian tear-away quick Shaun Tait has decided to quit the One Day International format after the defending champions were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals.
Tait made the announcement as the Aussies landed home following their loss to India in the knock-out match at the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad.
Tait failed to rise to the occasion and was a shadow of his former self in the mega tournament. His sole performance of worth was against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 whom he rocked with early wickets. In the games against more formidable opponents like
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758, he was carted around the park.
The 28-year old thanked Cricket Australia and the team management that lent him the support he needed throughout his short and injury plagued ODI career.
He stated that he wants to concentrate on the shortest variety of the game.
“I have decided to retire from one-day cricket for both Australia and the South Australian Redbacks,” Tait said. “This is not a decision I have taken lightly but I believe it is one that will help me to prolong my cricketing career through
the many Twenty20 avenues available. In reality, playing all year round for Australia and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Australia-c844 is not allowing my body to stand up.”
He added that the shorter variety allows him to manage his body properly and will not pose a fitness challenge for him.
He claimed that he was bitterly disappointed with the World Cup failure as the squad was desperate for glory and keen on maintaining Australia’s impregnable record in the tournament.
“My goal was to hopefully help Australia retain the ICC Cricket World Cup. However, with our involvement now finished I feel it is the perfect time to move on in a new direction,” he said.
Tait who featured in only 35 ODI games reckons that the 2007 World Cup was the highlight of his career; the Aussies remained undefeated in the tournament then, recording their third successive win.
Tait stated that he had great memories of one-day cricket both for his state and country, yet the campaign in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 would stand out as the brightest moment of his international career.
The right armer had a fantastic strike rate in the format taking 62 wickets in the 35 games he played for the Australians. He had a career best of 4 for 39 and took his wickets at 23.5 runs per wicket, conceding 5.1 runs per over.
Meanwhile, Brett http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Lee-c72382 is also likely to quit international cricket soon. The right armer who was the spearhead of the Aussies in the World Cup had a decent tournament, yet his aging body is set to restrict his participation at the highest level.
The Australians would have to work overtime to replace the express duo of Lee and Tait if they are to re-emerge as a cricket force in the years to come.
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