Tait expects quicks to shine

Shaun Tait, the South Australia fast bowler, has said quick bowlers will relish bowling on the fresh pitches in South Africa during the Champions League Twenty20. He has been in top form this year, reclaiming a regular place in Australia's limited-overs sides and sending down one of the fastest deliveries in history - 161.1kmh at Lord's in July.

"South Africa's always traditionally been a good place to bowl quick," Tait said. "I think the wickets usually offer quite a bit, and some of the grounds offer altitude, where the ball reportedly travels quicker through the air. I think the fast bowlers are licking their lips."

Tait expected stiff competition in the Champions League, and didn't think the cash-rich IPL teams will have an edge in the tournament. "It's a good chance for all the countries to put their best teams on the park and see how they measure up against each other," he said. "They [IPL teams] have the big-gun players and the Sri Lankan team [Wayamba] are pretty talented themselves, so it's a big raffle about who's going to make the final."

The Redbacks went down by five wickets to Wayamba in their final practice game on Tuesday. They kick off their campaign against South Africa's Lions on Sunday and also have Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Guyana in their group.