Shaun Tait quits cricket indefinitely
Tait would be rested from cricket at all levels while he undergoes a program to help him recuperate from physical and emotional exhaustion
Cricinfo staff
29-Jan-2008
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Shaun Tait has walked away from cricket indefinitely, citing physical and
emotional exhaustion. Cricket Australia announced that Tait will be
rested from all levels while he undergoes a programme to help him
recuperate, and the length of it will be dependent on his
progress.
"This is a very difficult situation for me to be in at this time, this is
not an overnight decision but something that I've been struggling with for
sometime," Tait said. "A break from professional cricket will hopefully
give me a clear mind and a chance for my body to rest and recover.
"My love and enjoyment of the game is struggling due to these issues and
if I continue to go on it will be unfair on my team-mates and support
staff of both the Australian and South Australian cricket teams - and most
importantly my family and close friends."
During an up-and-down past 12 months, Tait made his ODI debut, played a
key role in Australia's World Cup triumph, finishing the tournament with 23 wickets, had elbow surgery, and returned to the Test team
against India in Perth. However, he was nowhere near as
destructive as Australia had hoped at the WACA and failed to claim any wickets.
Trefor James, Cricket Australia's chief medical officer, said: "After
discussions with Shaun and the South Australian Cricket Association
medical staff it is clear that Shaun needs a break from cricket at all
levels. We'll be working with Shaun going forward to ensure that whatever
assistance he requires is provided to him. Shaun's personal welfare is our
primary concern as well as his return to cricket at an appropriate point."
The South Australian Cricket Association's medical officer, Terry
Farquharson, said Tait felt he needed to get away from the game. "Shaun
has experienced recurrent injuries dating back to 2005 with a shoulder
injury requiring surgery, an elbow injury in 2007 also requiring surgery,
which has caused him ongoing pain as well as suffering intermittent low
back and hamstring injuries," Farquharson said.
"The combination of his injury history and the demands of being an elite
professional cricketer has affected his physical, and significantly, his
emotional well-being. Shaun feels he needs a rest from cricket, and I
support this, which will allow him to recover both physically and
emotionally."
Tait was expected to be a key part of Australia's CB Series squad after
his World Cup success. However, his absence will leave Australia with an
even more inexperienced attack, with Glenn McGrath already missing from
the side that triumphed in the Caribbean.