Tait set for surgery
Tait faces a race against time to get to South Africa
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Monday, 18, Jun 2007 09:14
Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait will undergo elbow surgery that could rule him out of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup later this year.
The 24-year-old paceman's right elbow has been causing him discomfort of late and the surgery means he will not be able to bowl until mid-August at the earliest.
The Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa begins in September and the Cricket Australia medical team rate Tait's chances of playing in the tournament as "50-50".
"Shaun Tait is undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow on Tuesday to relieve soft-tissue impingement," physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.
"We are hoping he will be back bowling by mid-August. This would leave him with a 50-50 chance of playing in the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa."
Tait took 23 wickets as he helped Australia to their record-breaking third consecutive World Cup victory in the Caribbean earlier this year.
However his frequent injury set-backs, which also include problems with his knee and shoulder, have restricted his rise into the international arena.
Medical specialists blame the bowler's unique action, which is slingy and low-to-the-ground, for the problems - nevertheless he is hoping to recover in time to spearhead the attack in the autumn.