Tait makes Essex move

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Shaun Tait has become the second former Australia fast bowler to sign up for this year’s Friends Life t20 today, having secured a deal with Essex.

The 30-year-old, who is capable of bowling at express pace, will be available to the Eagles for the whole tournament, including the knockout stages should they qualify.

Tait’s signature follows one-time international team-mate Dirk Nannes’ move to Glamorgan today.

Tait has been a limited-overs specialist since 2008 and has played only T20 cricket for almost two years, having retired from the List A game immediately after the 2011 World Cup. He featured in three Tests, 35 one-day and 19 Twenty20 internationals.

Fast bowler Shaun Tait, who last played for Australia at the 2011 World Cup, has signed for Essex for this year's Friends Life t20

Besides Australia, his T20 career has taken him to Bangladesh, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe and brought 126 wickets. His one T20 stint in the UK was for Glamorgan in 2010.

Essex head coach Paul Grayson said: "Shaun is an outstanding Twenty20 bowler who has genuine pace and match-winning ability. We welcome him to the club for the Twenty20 campaign and are hopeful of success with him in the team."

Tait is the second Australian to join Essex this year following the signing of batsman Rob Quiney for the first three months of the campaign.

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