Shaun Tait named ICC Emerging Player of the Year

Shaun Tait, the Australia fast bowler, was named as the Emerging Player of the Year at the ICC Awards in Johannesburg.

Tait, 24, has gone a long way to cementing his place in the national team over the past year with some stellar performances with the ball. During the voting period of August 9, 2006 to August 8, 2007, Tait made his ODI debut and in 15 matches took 28 wickets at 24.46. His strike-rate of a wicket every 26.4 balls is right up there with the very best.

"All top sides know it is vitally important to make sure the next generation of player is ready to take over when their time comes and Australia seems to have a host of talented, young fast bowlers prepared to take up the mantle of the likes of Glenn McGrath," Malcom Speed, the ICC's CEO, said. "Shaun's impact in a relatively short space of time has been very impressive and we believe he is a worthy winner of this award."

Tait had struggled to win back his place in the national set-up after making his Test debut on the 2005 Ashes tour of England. However, he grabbed his limited-overs opportunities in 2007 and could be in line for a Test recall during Australia's approaching home summer.

He is in impressive company as the Emerging Player of the Year after the England duo Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen won the last two titles, following on from the inaugural winner in 2004, India's Irfan Pathan. New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor and Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan were also nominated this year.