James Hopes

Australian selectors retain Tait in contracted players list

Australias cricket selectors have retained South Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait in Cricket Australias 25-man contracted player list, which was released today.

Melbourne, Apr.9 : Australia's cricket selectors have retained South Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait in Cricket Australia's 25-man contracted player list, which was released today.

Tait, 25, walked out on cricket in January after a disappointing Test against India in Perth, battling emotional and physical stress.

"Shaun just encountered something which probably he's never had to deal with before and probably as a selection panel we haven't had to deal with before. We have had lengthy discussions, both coaches, players and fitness people, with Shaun, and we're really confident that it's going to be a good future in the next 12 months or so for Shaun,'' Selection Committee Chairman Andrew Hilditch was quoted by the Herald, as saying.

Tait had told The Herald in March that he was keen to return next summer.

"The first few weeks after the decision were quite tough, and the past couple of weeks have been quite good. I am starting to think about cricket again, which I didn't do at all after I made the decision," he said.

The contracted player list for the next 12 months chosen by the national selection panel includes just two specialist openers in Test duo Matthew Hayden and Phil Jaques.

Added to the list for the first time is New South Wales duo Doug Bollinger and Beau Casson, Victorian David Hussey and West Australian Shaun Marsh.

Queenslander Ashley Noffke and Pura Cup winning NSW skipper Simon Katich have regained full contracts.

"Simon Katich and Ashley Noffke have had outstanding seasons for New South Wales and Queensland respectively and have thoroughly deserved their selection,'' Hilditch said.

"At the same time we have decided to add a young spinner to the list and Beau Casson has performed strongly for New South Wales throughout the summer.

Along with Rogers and retired trio Adam Gilchrist, Brad Hogg and Jason Gillespie, South Australian spin twins Cullen Bailey and Daniel Cullen have been dropped off the annual 25-man list.

Rogers' place appears to have been taken by former state teammate Marsh who enjoyed a terrific domestic season for the Warriors.

The selectors' decision is now likely to see Rogers link with Victoria instead of Queensland after he announced this week he was leaving Western Australia.

Australia's contracted players for 2008-09:

Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Beau Casson, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Shaun Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

ANI