Shaun Tait poised to become the head coach of Punjab Ranji Trophy team

Former Australian speedster Shaun Tait can become the next head coach of the senior Punjab team for the upcoming domestic season. Tait is an experienced campaigner at the coaching level and has worked with PSL side Quetta Gladiators before.

Tait has also served as the Pakistan cricket team's bowling coach for a period of 12 months. In August 2021, he was appointed the bowling consultant to the Afghanistan cricket team.

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Shaun Tait in line to become the head coach of the Punjab Ranji Trophy team

Along with Shaun Tait, Wasim Jaffer is another big name who is in line to become the head coach of the Punjab team for the upcoming domestic season. Jaffer has wokrd with Punjab Kings in the IPL. He is also the highest run-scorer in the history of the Ranji Trophy

“We have received over 45 applicants for the head coach role of the Punjab senior team. Two of the prominent names are former India opener Wasim Jaffer and former Australia speedster Shaun Tait. The process is still underway and we will announce the name by next week,” a Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

Tait or Jaffer will replace Aavishkar Salvi, who was appointed Punjab's coach in August 2022. Last year, Punjab emerged as the winners of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and ended a drought of 30 years for a trophy. India's latest batting sensation Abhishek Sharma played a vital role in Punjab's title win.

Shaun Tait's records as a player in international cricket

Shaun Tait is regarded as one of the fastest bowlers of all time. During his time, he was a nightmare to face for the batters when on song. He had a slightly slingy action and used to reverse swing the ball at a high pace.

The former Australian quick also threatened to break the record of the fastest ball ever recorded in the game of cricket when he bowled 161.1 kph in a match against England.

Tait played just three Tests for Australia and picked up 5 wickets. He suffered constant fitness issues which prevented him from playing the longest format of the game for a long time.

But Tait created a huge impact in the limited ODIs and T20Is he played. He picked up 62 wickets in 35 ODIs at an average of 23.56 and an economy rate of 5.19. He also picked up two four-wicket hauls in his ODI career.

Tait played a key role in Australia's 2007 ODI World Cup triumph in the West Indies. The fast bowler emerged as the third-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 23 wickets in just 11 matches at an average of 20.30 and an economy rate of 5.52.

In T20I cricket, he picked up 28 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 21.03 and an economy rate of 7.39. He played a key role in Australia's road to the final of T20 World Cup 2010.