Tait seeking to impress selectors

Shaun Tait's first Test wicket may seem a long way behind him as he tries to impress the selectors © Getty Images

Shaun Tait, the South Australian fast bowler, is back from injury and has his sights keenly set on a return to the national side.

Since being sidelined from competitive cricket due to a shoulder injury, Tait has seen Stuart Clark, Mick Lewis, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Dorey all used as fast bowling options for Australia, but he maintains he is eyeing a place in the coming tour of South Africa.

"They're trying some other fast bowlers around the place, so hopefully there's still an opportunity when I'm ready to go," Tait told The Age."People say, 'Gee you must be a bit worried', but I actually see it as a good thing that they've tried four or five fast bowlers in the last couple of months and they're looking for the right one, so if I can put my hand up and be the right one, and (if it) falls into place at the right time, it will be good."

Tait, 22, had a fiery entry to Test cricket during Australia's Ashes campaign, brought in for his state team-mate Jason Gillespie in the fourth Test at Trent Bridge. In Australia's second innings, with the side struggling to build a lead after being forced to follow-on, Tait attempted a reckless swipe across the stumps that resulted in his dismissal to Steve Harmison and Australia were allout for 387.

Tait said he cannot remember why he attempted the shot. "I think about it every day when I'm playing cricket," he said. "My mates at home don't let me forget about it too often. It's quite embarrassing. Maybe that's one thing I actually do regret, and if there was one thing I could change, I'd probably go back and not play that shot again maybe."