Tait Denies Rumors Of Comeback To Test Cricket
At the start of the month, there was still hope that Shaun Tait would feature in the upcoming Test series. It was believed that since he had not formally announced his retirement, there was still a possibility that he would return, but now Tait has quashed any such rumors. “Test cricket hasn't even crossed my mind and I'm happy with the decision I made,” Shaun told reporters. “I find it quite weird that I've only played three one-dayers in 18 months and all of a sudden people are talking about me playing Test cricket. But I'm not going to play in the Ashes, it's as simple as that.”
Tait retired from Test cricket two years ago in 2008 and has not played a first class game since then, he claimed he had fitness problems. Because of his “emotional exhaustion” he is unable to perform in the longer format of the game, and says he is better suited for the shorter formats. Despite claiming he was “in a good place”, Tait admitted he could only handle one dayers and Twenty20. “It's a selfish decision to try and prolong my career. My decision's been criticised but I'm sticking by it. It's not just a matter of me saying 'I'll play' and that's it. Ricky and I haven't had that talk and I doubt we will,” Tait told reporters, denying that he had discussed the issue with captain Ricky Ponting.
Tait is one of most fast paced bowlers in the world, he is even considered the fastest by some. After the triumph over the English at Lord’s, Ricky Ponting made statements which suggested that Tait may be ready to make a comeback in Test cricket. But Tait didn’t seem to remember having that conversation with Ponting, claiming that he was finally done with Test cricket and had no plans for the present or future to make a comeback in that format. He went on to say how Australia had class bowlers and if they performed well, Australia wouldn’t have a problem with their fast bowling.
“Doug Bollinger has a great record, Mitchell Johnson is the current World Cricketer of the Year and quick on his day, and then there's Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Ryan Harris. They should be fine and I think they should be clear favorites to win the Ashes back in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746. Recent results against England have hurt us but if we play well as a team, we should beat any team in the world. That's the way I see it.” Tait said, praising his teammates ahead of the upcoming match while confirming that he would not be featuring in the series.
Ponting and the selectors were hopeful to have Tait in the squad for the Ashes because of his world class fast bowling and amazing ability to take wickets against some of the batsmen. Ponting said that he, along with the rest of the team would try and convince him. However, Tait has seems to have dismissed Test cricket but said that he intends to play ODI and Twenty20 as long as he is fit and warned opposing batsmen by saying that he could bowl faster. "There's more to come. I've done it twice before and I can do it again," Tait said.
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