Afghanistan coaching staff: Shaun Tait named Afghanistan’s bowling coach

Shaun Tait: The former Australian fast bowler has signed his first coaching role as far as an international team is concerned.

Former Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait has joined the bandwagon with respect to ex-cricketers turning coaching at the highest level. Tait, 38, has been named as Afghanistan’s bowling coach.

In 59 matches for Australia across formats, Tait had picked 95 wickets at an average of 24.75 and a strike rate of 27.1 including career-best bowling figures of 10-0-39-4 against South Africa in the second semi-final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in St Lucia.

Tait, who last played for Australia in 2016, was known for his express pace. As far as his last competitive match is concerned, Tait had represented Hobart Hurricanes for a solitary match in Big Bash League 2016-17.

Shaun Tait named Afghanistan’s bowling coach

“Tait is a Level-two certified coach from Cricket Australia and has coached various domestic and some international franchise teams including Melbourne Renegades in BBL,” Afghanistan Cricket Board said in a statement on their official website.

Other than playing the role of Renegades’ bowling coach, Tait has played a similar role at Bangla Tigers and Durham in Abu Dhabi T10 League and Royal London Cup respectively.

With Afghanistan scheduled to play an ODI series against Pakistan, ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and their maiden Test match in Australia this year, Tait has joined the team ahead of a fascinating period for them in international cricket.

Known for their quality spinners especially in white-ball cricket, it will be interesting to see how Tait’s presence will work for the likes of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Qais Ahmed. Readers must note that Tait will work alongside former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener, who was named as Afghanistan’s head coach in 2019.