Former Australian speedster Shaun Tait may become the next head coach of the Punjab senior team for the upcoming domestic season. Tait is an experienced coach and has previously worked with PSL side Quetta Gladiators.
Tait also served as the bowling coach of the Pakistan cricket team for a period of 12 months. In August 2021, he was appointed as the bowling consultant for the Afghanistan cricket team.
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Shaun Tait on course to become head coach of Punjab Ranji Trophy team
Along with Shaun Tait, Wasim Jaffer is another big name who is on track to become the head coach of the Punjab team for the upcoming domestic season. Jaffer is currently serving as the batting coach of the IPL team Punjab Kings. He is also the highest run-scorer in the history of Ranji Trophy.
“We have received over 45 applicants for the post of head coach of the Punjab senior team. Two of the prominent names are former India opener Wasim Jaffer and former Australian speedster Shaun Tait. The process is still on and we will announce the name next week,” a Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) official told The Indian Express.
Tait or Jaffer will replace Aavishkar Salvi, who was appointed as Punjab coach in August 2022. Last year, Punjab clinched the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and ended a 30-year drought without a trophy. India’s latest batting sensation Abhishek Sharma played a vital role in Punjab’s title win.
Shaun Tait’s records as an international cricketer
Shaun Tait is considered one of the fastest bowlers of all time. In his time, he was a nightmare for batsmen to face when he was in form. He had a slightly sharp movement and used to reverse swing at high speed.
The former Australian pacer also threatened to break the record for the fastest ball ever recorded in the game of cricket when he bowled 161.1 kilometres per hour in a match against England.
Tait played only three Test matches for Australia and took five wickets. He suffered constant physical problems which prevented him from playing the longest format of the game for a long time.
But Tait made a huge impact in the limited ODIs and T20Is he played. He took 62 wickets in 35 ODIs at an average of 23.56 and an economy rate of 5.19. He also took two four-wicket hauls in his ODI career.
Tait played a key role in Australia’s triumph at the 2007 ODI World Cup in the West Indies. The fast bowler emerged as the tournament’s third-highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets in just 11 matches at an average of 20.30 and an economy rate of 5.52.
In T20I cricket, he took 28 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 21.03 and an economy rate of 7.39. He played a key role in Australia’s run to the 2010 T20 World Cup final.