Shaun Tait

Arguably the fastest bowler in the world, Shaun Tait’s career has been somewhat of a rollercoaster ride after he was drafted into the Australian team after just two seasons of first-class cricket. Unlike conventional fast bowlers, Tait is huge, has a slingy action and a long run-up. Given this combination, there was always going to be a point when his body would give in to the workload. Along with physical injuries, Tait was done in by mental exhaustion, warming benches more than being on the Park. Tait announced his retirement from first-class and limited-overs cricket earlier in 2012 – choosing to play only Twenty20 cricket. The speedster clocked the second-fastest delivery in international cricket at 161.1 kph against England at Lords in 2010. When he turned out for the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2012 he claimed six wickets from six matches.