Image Credit- Getty
Shaun Tait has been appointed bowling coach by the
Quetta Gladiators, days after former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson was
named head coach. Prior to the PSL’s ninth season, Tait—who was Pakistan’s fast
bowling coach till earlier this year—will assume the position.
“I’d like to thank Nadeem Omar (Quetta Gladiators
owner) who trusted me with the bowling group,” Tait said in an official
statement, “including Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Mohammad
Amir. Some great talent there to work with alongside the great Shane
Watson.”
Tait has worked with the majority of the bowlers he
will now be managing during his tenure with Pakistan. He was outspoken in his
criticism of attempts to force Pakistan’s express pace bowlers to continue with
heavy workloads throughout his tenure. He had stated that there was “no
way – no way – express pace bowlers can currently play all three formats
consistently” in an interview with ESPNcricinfo.
In the same interview, he was effusive in his praise
for Hasnain – currently recuperating from an ankle injury – who falls under his
wing once more. “Hasnain has got the ability to bowl proper rapid, but
there’s no doubt [there’s an air of vulnerability to him],” he said at the
time. “My input with Hasnain is purely about just using his athleticism.
Getting that grunt as a fast bowler and being angry. Just running in fast and
feeling good.”
With this statement, the Gladiators are taking a more
aggressive approach to replacing their coaching staff as they attempt to break
out of a four-year postseason drought. The Gladiators were the PSL’s most
reliable team in its first four seasons, making it to the championship game
three times and taking home the trophy in 2019.
On a one-year contract, Tait was named Pakistan’s
coach in February 2022. The contract was not renewed, despite the fact that it
was unclear if it was a rolling one and that he was eager for an extension.