By IANS
Adelaide : Australian speedster Shaun Tait, who made a forgettable comeback during the Perth Test against India, has decided to quit the game, citing emotional and physical exhaustion.
The 24-year-old, who went wicketless during the third match at the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) ground, announced Tuesday that he is struggling to enjoy the game and needs break to clear his mind.
“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 some time,” he said in a statement
“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”.
“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,” said Tait who was dubbed the ” Wild Thing” because of erratic control on his pace.
Tait, who was the star of the Australia’s World Cup winning team in West Indies last year, was the 12th man in the fourth Test against India that concluded here Monday.
The South Australian tearaway has been suffering from strings of injuries ever since his return from West Indies and has struggled to regain full fitness. Tait also had a shoulder surgery in 2005 before having an elbow operation after the World Cup.
South Australia Cricket Association medical officer Terry Farquharson said the emotional and physical stress of returning from injuries had proved too much for Tait.
Farquharson said the elbow surgery had caused Tait’s ongoing pain, while the tearaway had also suffered intermittent lower back pain and hamstring injuries.
“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,” Farquharson said.
“Shaun feels he needs a rest from cricket and I support this, which will allow him to recover both physically and emotionally.”
Cricket Australia’s chief medical officer Trefor James said that Tait made the decision after discussions with the national body and South Australian 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,’ James said.