Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait will play for the Dolphins in this season’s domestic Twenty20 competition, the Durban franchise confirmed on Thursday.
The 28-year-old, who had been linked with the team in recent weeks, will be available for the entire competition which starts in February next year.
“I am genuinely excited to be given this opportunity and am looking forward to playing my part with the Dolphins in seeing them taste success,” Tait said.
“Having played last year in Durban during the Champions Trophy, I know that I am really looking forward to getting back and bowling at a ground that definitely suits me.”
Tait, now a specialist T20 player having retired from one-day internationals after the World Cup, is currently recovering from an elbow problem he picked up while playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League earlier this year.
The injury also forced him to withdraw from playing county cricket for English club Surrey.
“We are absolutely delighted to have secured Shaun for the Pro20 competition,” said Jesse Chellan, chief executive officer of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Cricket Union (KZNCU).
“He is a world-class, match-winning fast bowler and will add much needed pace to our attack.”
“We are serious about ’crossing the finishing line’ this season and we have no doubt that Shaun will help deliver on this to our fans.”
Coach Graham Ford also expressed his satisfaction at the deal.
“Shaun is a hugely exciting addition,” said Ford. “Our young players have progressed extremely well over the past 12 months and for them to now play alongside the fastest bowler in world cricket will be a wonderful learning opportunity and a massive experience."
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