Tait deal makes Essex T20 contenders - Grayson

Essex's coach Paul Grayson has predicted that the county can make a strong challenge in the NatWest Blast after securing the return of Shaun Tait, the Australian pace bowler, for England's T20 competition.

The signing could be the start of a rush of deals as the counties eye up the potentially available talent left unsold in the IPL auction.

Tait previously played for Essex in 2013 when they reached Finals Day. His most notable spell came in the quarterfinal at Trent Bridge where his 4 for 29 contributed to a 47-run defeat of strongly-fancied Nottinghamshire. He has a career Twenty20 bowling average of 21.44, but during his first spell with Essex he bettered that, taking 16 wickets at an average of 17.18.

Grayson hailed Tait's return. "Shaun had such a positive impact around the club during his first spell. Not only on the pitch during the Twenty20 campaign, but he also spent time working with the younger players throughout the summer.

"We believe we have an excellent chance of winning the NatWest T20 Blast this season, and Shaun will help us towards that target. Alongside Jesse Ryder, we now have two really exciting overseas players."

Essex's stress in the Championship will focus more upon developing their own homegrown players.

"In the LV= County Championship, we are intent on giving our younger players a chance, and our focus is very much on youth; in the Twenty20 competition, we want to use all our experience in this format and go all the way."