Surrey sign Shaun Tait for 2011 Friends Provident t20

Surrey County Cricket Club has signed the Australian Shaun Tait as an overseas player for this summer’s FPt20 competition.

Tait, 27 – widely regarded as the fastest bowler in the world – is currently in action for Australia against England in the Twenty20 and One Day series and has also been included in Australia’s provisional squad for the impending ICC World Cup.

He will join up with the Surrey Lions shortly before their first FPt20 match, against Gloucestershire Gladiators at the Kia Oval on Thursday June 2nd and be available for the duration of the competition, including any potential Quarter Final or Finals Day appearance for Rory Hamilton-Brown’s side.

With 80 wickets at an average of 19.81, Tait is amongst the leading wicket takers in t20 history and has previous experience of English conditions when he enjoyed a brief stint in 2009 with Chipstead, Coulsdon and Walcountians CC in the Surrey Championship, following this up by signing for the Glamorgan Dragons for the 2010 campaign.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s second t20 International at the Melbourne Cricket Ground Shaun Tait said: “This is a pretty exciting move for me. I've a bit of unfinished business in county cricket and I'll be giving it my all for Surrey this year.

“I always strive to take wickets and love being part of a close knit team. Some good reports about how Surrey are shaping up for 2011 have been filtering through so I'm confident that the team can go a few steps further this year in the FPt20. Finals Day is something I really want to be involved in.”

Surrey Professional Cricket Manager Chris Adams added: “Games are invariably won and lost at the start and end of an innings. Having a bowler of Shaun’s quality, ability and pace will make us an improved prospect for this year’s FPt20.”

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