Tait released from Aussie squad

Shaun Tait has been released from the Australian squad for the first Test at The Gabba in Brisbane starting tomorrow.

With Shane Watson being ruled out due to a hamstring injury, this means there are now only 12 players in the squad with Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson fighting it out for the third seamers role.

Ricky Ponting and the national selectors have hinted that Stuart Clark has the inside running with his increased accuracy and the fact that he took 20 wickets in only three Tests in South Africa earlier this year counting in his favour.

Michael Clarke comes into the middle-order in place of Shane Watson who is deeply disappointed to be ruled out at the worst possible time because of his hamstring injury.

Watson told the BBC:

“I’ve done everything I can over the last three days but unfortunately I was only a few days away.”

“I’ve just got to get it right and hopefully, if a few things go my way, I can be ready for the second Test, where us picking two spinners should help my cause.”