Tait is ‘damn quick’, feels Gillespie

Adelaide: Express fast bowler Shaun Tait, given a contract by Cricket Australia Tuesday, is a rare talent destined to succeed at the highest level, Test bowler Jason Gillespie said.

Gillespie said the sheer pace of the 21-year-old South Australian, who represented Australia A this season and joined the recent Australian tour of Sri Lanka as a replacement for injured Brett Lee, gave him a distinct advantage over most of his rivals.

“He is pretty damn quick,” said Gillespie of Tait, one of six changes to Cricket Australia’s list of 25 contracted players for 2004-05.

“Not everyone has that, you either can bowl fast or you can’t. That’s Taity’s big strength at the moment and I suppose the more games he plays the better he’ll be, or we’d like to think so, with accuracy and just experience.”

But Gillespie stressed that patience was essential because of Tait’s youth.

“It’s got to be remembered that he has only played a dozen or so first class games, he’s very young experience-wise, and in cricket it does play a part to have that experience under your belt,” he said.

“With time and patience he’ll get there for sure.”

Gillespie said competition for Australian fast bowling spots was intense.

“Taity will probably have to wait his turn, but I’m sure he’ll do very well when he gets the opportunity,” he said.

“He bowls fast and he bowls wicket-taking balls — that sort of talent is pretty rare, not just in Australia but around the world.”