Tait takes a break

Shaun Tait admitted his love of the game has been on the wane recently © Getty Images

Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait is to take an indefinite break from cricket due to physical and emotional exhaustion.

In a statement released by Cricket Australia, the 24-year-old claimed a spell away from the game would “hopefully give me a clear mind and a chance for my body to rest and recover”.

No timeframe on a return has been set by Tait, who will sit out Friday night's Twenty20 clash against India in Melbourne and the forthcoming Commonwealth Bank Series. He will also be unavailable for state duties with South Australia.

"This is a very difficult situation for me to be in at this time," Tait said. "This is not an overnight decision but something that I've been struggling with for some time.

"A break from professional cricket will hopefully give me a clear mind and a chance for my body to rest and recover.

"My love and enjoyment of the game is struggling due to these issues and if I continue to go on it will be unfair on my team-mates and support staff of both the Australian and South Australian cricket teams - and most importantly my family and close friends."

Tait underwent shoulder surgery following the 2005 Ashes series and had an operation last year to repair an elbow injury.

That, according to South Australian Cricket Association medical officer Terry Farquharson, led to Tait also suffering “ongoing pain as well as suffering intermittent low back and hamstring injuries”.

"The combination of his injury history and the demands of being an elite professional cricketer has affected his physical, and significantly, his emotional well being," Farquharson said.

"Shaun feels he needs a rest from cricket and I support this, which will allow him to recover both physically and emotionally."