Tait Hoping For A Return To Winning Ways

22 Jul 2016 | Cricket
Shaun Tait wants Glamorgan to return to winning ways against Somerset tonight, with the Welsh county knowing that one victory can secure a place in the quarter-finals.

Victories for Middlesex and Sussex in the NatWest T20 Blast South Group last night, mean Glamorgan can secure a knockout spot by beating Somerset at The SSE SWALEC tonight (7pm start).

Tait, who has replaced Dale Steyn in the Glamorgan line-up, admits he has thoroughly enjoyed his return to the Welsh side, after playing in Cardiff in 2010.

The Aussie quick is now keen to secure a quarter-final berth, as Glamorgan target a first appearance at Finals Day since 2004. In an interview with BBC Sport Tait said he'd been impressed with his teammates, who have stormed to second in the South Group with seven wins from 11 matches.

He said: "It’s been one of the stronger campaigns that Glamorgan have put together for the T20s and one more win would guarantee a quarter-finals spot so it's a pretty important game coming up.

"I’d say when it all comes together its one of the better Glamorgan sides that they've put on the park."

On his own performances, Tait was keen to improve, despite a match-winning spell at Richmond as Glamorgan trounced Middlesex by nine wickets. But the Australian went wicketless in defeats to Hampshire and Gloucestershire in Glamorgan's last two matches and wanted to bounce back against a challenging Somerset batting line-up.

He said: "It’s been okay so far. I haven't taken as many wickets as I would have liked but they are the challenges that are put in front of you. We've got a really good bowling attack, which is important in T20 cricket and hopefully we can keep up the form.

"I think we’ve got a perfect balance: a couple of spin options and some quicks, like van der Gugten and Hogan and myself who can bring a bit of pace.

"Batsmen are so good at hitting the ball out of the ground these days, so finding a good bowling attack and some good death bowlers isn't easy to come by. But it's crucial in winning games of T20 cricket."

Tait was relishing facing up to Mahela Jayawardene and company, when Glamorgan lock horns with rivals Somerset at The SSE SWALEC tonight.

"I’ve played against Mahela a few times and he’s a class act," added Tait.

"No matter where they are on the ladder, Somerset are always in with a fighting chance and with Matt Maynard and Jim Allenby coming back, there’s a bit of niggle there I suppose. I didn’t realise there was so much of a rivalry between the two sides. It’s always in your mind when you’re playing so hopefully we can be accommodating."

Glamorgan's crucial clash with Somerset gets underway at The SSE SWALEC in Cardiff, tonight at 7pm. Tickets are £15 on the gate for adults (reduced from £18), £10 for students or £5 for under 17s.