Experienced Australian paceman Shaun Tait will return to Essex Eagles for this season’s NatWest T20 Blast.
The 31-year-old, a sprint-format specialist, helped the Eagles to Twenty20 finals day during his first spell at the Essex County Ground in 2013.
Tait claimed 16 wickets at an average of 17.18 during that successful stay, including taking a hat-trick en route to returning figures of 4-29 in the quarter-final victory over Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge.
He has recently played for Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League and will join fellow overseas player Jesse Ryder, from New Zealand, in the Eagles’ Blast squad.
Head coach Paul Grayson said: “Shaun had such a positive impact around the club during his first spell.
“Not only on the pitch during the Twenty20 campaign, but he also spent time working with the younger players throughout the summer.
“We believe we have an excellent chance of winning the NatWest T20 Blast this season, and Shaun will help us towards that target. Alongside Jesse Ryder, we now have two really exciting overseas players.
“In the LV= County Championship, we are intent on giving our younger players a chance, and our focus is very much on youth; in the Twenty20 competition, we want to use all our experience in this format and go all the way.”
Tait, who represented Australia in three Tests and made 54 limited-overs appearances, has taken 165 wickets at 21.44 in 126 domestic short-format matches.
He said: “I am happy to be signed up again with Essex for the 2015 NatWest T20 Blast.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to Chelmsford to see all the players and supporters again, and getting ready for the opening game on May 15 versus Hampshire.”
Back to @EssexCricket for the @NatWestT20Blast! Great place to play, can't wait #theonlywayisessex
— Shaun Tait (@shaun_tait32) February 17, 2015