Australia's Fast Bowler Shaun Tait retires from one day cricket

Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait has retired from one day cricket to spotlight on the Twenty20 form of the game.

The 28 years old, part of the Australia side knocked out of the World Cup by India last week, is quitting domestic and international 50 over cricket.

He is going to focus on Twenty20 matches for Australia, South Australian Redbacks, Surrey and the Rajasthan Royals.

He said, this is not a decision I have taken lightly but I believe it is one that will help me prolong my career."
Tait, a fast strike bowler, helped Australia win their third instantly World Cup in 2007 and took 11 wickets in seven matches at this year's tournament.

"In reality, playing all year round for Australia and South Australia is not allowing my body to set up as I would like and I do not want to be required into retirement through career ending injuries," he added.

"Twenty20 cricket allows me to run my body to a level where I feel I can continue to contribute to the game for some moment yet.

My goal was to hopefully help Australia keep the ICC Cricket World Cup. Though, with our involvement now finished I feel it is the perfect time to move on in a new direction."

Tait made his Test debut in the 2005 Ashes series but found the rigours of the five day game too much as a slingy, shoulder heavy, action put great injure on his body.

In 35 one day internationals, he has taken 62 wickets at an average of 23.5, while in 19 Twenty20 games for his country, he has 28 victims at 17.7.

Australia Cricket general manager Michael Brown said: "Shaun has been an important contributor to Australia's short form cricket over the last few years.