Tait joins Strikers, Gibbs returns for Scorchers

Herschelle Gibbs will play for the Perth Scorchers again this season and Shaun Tait has returned to Adelaide to represent the Strikers, having been a disappointment for the Melbourne Renegades last summer. Seven other players were also signed to Big Bash League teams on Friday, including Luke Pomersbach for the Brisbane Heat, which will be his first involvement in the BBL after he skipped all domestic cricket last season.

The only player to change sides was Tait, 29, who is now a Twenty20 specialist and most recently took six wickets in six matches for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL this year. The Renegades last summer tried to base their attack around the express pace of Tait and Dirk Nannes, but Tait managed only four wickets in five games and leaked more than ten runs an over.

"I'm champing at the bit to get out there with the Strikers," Tait said. "With great signings already like Johan Botha, Kane Richardson and Gary Putland, we're keen to give this competition a real shake. It's also great to be back home playing cricket in Adelaide."

The only international player to sign on Friday was Gibbs, who made 302 runs at 43.14 for the Scorchers last summer and was the third leading run getter in the competition. Lachlan Stevens, the Scorchers coach, said Gibbs would again be a valuable player for the side.

"Herschelle was a crowd favourite and I'm sure all Scorchers fans will be excited to have him back for BBL02," Stevens said. "We look forward to seeing him bring out the wide array of shots that he demonstrated throughout last season's competition once again."

The Scorchers also re-signed Shaun Marsh and Michael Beer, while the Hobart Hurricanes confirmed that Tim Paine and Jason Krejza would be part of their squad this year. The Heat signed Pomersbach, Ryan Harris and Ben Cutting.