Shaun Tait: "If we relax in any of these games and then come up against a big side, we might get done" © AFP Enlarge

Shaun Tait believes his time with the Australian one-day squad has boosted his rapid development as a bowler. Tait, who has 11 wickets from six World Cup games, has helped Australia recover from the loss of the injured Brett Lee with his fiery bursts throughout the innings.

Before the tournament Tait had played only four one-day internationals, but after spending time with Glenn McGrath and the rest of Australia's attack he has settled in quickly. "I expected to have a good run at some time in the World Cup," he told AFP. "It's good to have success.

"It has been fantastic coming into the Australian team and playing with these guys. It has helped my game by learning from them. It helps a lot observing them and working out with them and bowling with them. I feel a lot more confident bowling now than a few months ago."

Tait's next assignment is to ruffle Ireland's inexperienced batsmen and he is determined not to treat Friday's match in Barbados as a warm-up. "We have got to be at our top form," he said. "We take this game as seriously as against any other side. If we relax in any of these games and then come up against a big side, we might get done then."

Australia will complete the Super Eights stage with matches against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, who are likely to be in the semi-finals. "They are the teams playing quality cricket at the moment," Tait said, "and we expect them to be a quality threat."