Cricket Story

07 January 2009 23:50 BST

Paceman Tait included in Australia central contracts list

Troubled fast bowler Shaun Tait has been included in Cricket Australia's list of centrally-contracted players for the 2008/09 season.

The 25-year-old, renowned for his distinctive slingy action, announced in January that he was taking an indefinite break from all forms of cricket due to being physically and emotionally exhausted.

But he has been named in 25-man list of players who will continue to receive a guaranteed bursary from Australia's cricketing governing body.

With the retirement of three centrally contracted players from last season - wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist, spinner Brad Hogg and fast bowler Jason Gillespie - and opener Chris Rogers dropped, four new players have been named.

Pace bowler Doug Bollinger, spinner Beau Casson, and batsmen Shaun Marsh and David Hussey - the brother of fellow batsman and central contract recipient Michael - are included for the first time.

Simon Katich and Ashley Noffke have been reinstated to the list after being dropped in 2007/08 in favour of South Australia pair Dan Cullen and Cullen Bailey.

"We are now facing the challenge of continuing to perform at our best, against the best, while going through the rebuilding process," said chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch.

"We believe the current group of players we have selected are more than capable of helping us to achieve this task."

Full list of centrally contracted players

Doug Bollinger (NSW), Nathan Bracken (NSW), Beau Casson (NSW), Stuart Clark (NSW), Michael Clarke (NSW), Brad Haddin (NSW), Matthew Hayden (QLD), Ben Hilfenhaus (TAS), Brad Hodge (VIC), James Hopes (QLD), David Hussey (VIC), Michael Hussey (WA), Phil Jaques (NSW), Mitchell Johnson (QLD), Simon Katich (NSW), Brett Lee (NSW), Stuart MacGill (NSW), Shaun Marsh (WA), Ashley Noffke (QLD), Ricky Ponting (TAS), Andrew Symonds (QLD), Shaun Tait (SA), Adam Voges (WA), Shane Watson (QLD), Cameron White (VIC).