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Tait retires from ODI's to prolong T20 career
Australia's quarter-final exit from the World Cup is beginning to cause ripples in the team with pacer Shaun Tait on Monday announcing his retirement from one-day cricket to prolong his career in Twenty20s.
The 28-year-old pacer, who could not make much impact in the World Cup, hoped that his decision to give up his place in the national and South Australian one-day teams will help extend his career.
"This is not a decision I have taken lightly but I believe it is one that will help me to prolong my cricketing career through the many Twenty20 avenues available," he said.
"In reality, playing all year round for Australia and South Australia is not allowing my body to stand up as I would like and I do not want to be forced into retirement through career-ending injuries.
"Twenty20 cricket allows me to manage my body to a level where I feel I can continue to contribute to the game for some time yet. My goal was to hopefully help Australia retain the ICC Cricket World Cup. However, with our involvement now finished I feel it is the perfect time to move on in a new direction," he added.
'Winning the 2007 World Cup is a stand-out memory'
Tait said being part of the 2007 World Cup winning team would remain the most cherished moment of his career.
"I have many great memories of one-day cricket both for my state and country with the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup obviously being the stand out," he said.
"Being a member of a team containing so many legends of the game was a true highlight of my cricketing career, while any match a person plays for his country or state is truly an honour not to be taken lightly," he added.
Tait said he had the backing of Cricket Australia.
"Cricket Australia has been very supportive of me over the years and again have accepted the decision I have made. I am very thankful for all they have done and I now look forward to the next phase of my career," he said.
Tait, who has already retired from Tests, played 35 ODIs for Australia 62 wickets at an average of 23.56.