Australia rule Tait out of IPL

Shaun Tait has become the latest Australian to be withdrawn from the IPL after Cricket Australia were unwilling to gamble on his health ahead of the World Twenty20. His manager said the decision was "very disappointing" for Tait, who was expected to be part of the Rajasthan Royals campaign, which begins on Saturday.

Tait hasn't played since Australia's one-day international against New Zealand in Perth on February 1 as he faced a long recovery from a tear to his left hamstring but he believed he had returned to near full fitness. He was named in Australia's 30-man preliminary squad for the World Twenty20, which begins in England in June, but now faces further time on the sidelines in the lead-up.

"The IPL was the only chance to prove his fitness before the squad for the Twenty20 World Cup was picked," Tait's manager Andrew McRitchie told the Weekend Australian. "How he proves that now, I don't know.

"The excitement of playing alongside Warney and defending champions Rajasthan was definitely something that has been at the forefront of his mind. The Royals have been exceptionally understanding and they know that Taity is a long-term prospect for them. Whilst a [Cricket Australia] contracted player he will play by their rules, and Taity understands that."

It will be a costly few weeks for Tait, who will miss out on the US$375,000 that Rajasthan bid for him this year. But Cricket Australia has taken a cautious approach to the devastating fast bowler they believe can spearhead them to victory in the World Twenty20.

"Shaun Tait won't be playing IPL," Cricket Australia's spokesman Peter Young said. "He's still working through the rehab program and it has been determined that he won't be playing IPL. He has a hamstring injury and there's associated issues behind the hamstring injury."

Tait has had hamstring trouble before and has also had significant shoulder and elbow problems over the years. His withdrawal could mean extra work for his fellow Australian and World Twenty20 aspirant Shane Harwood, who has been signed by the Rajasthan Royals this season.

Tait joins a long list of Australians who will be sitting out of this year's IPL, including Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey, who withdrew because they felt they needed a rest after their long summer. Mitchell Johnson and Michael Clarke declined to nominate for the auction.