Shaun Tait has played 22 one-day and three Tests for Australia

Glamorgan have confirmed the signing of Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait for their Twenty20 campaign next season.

The 26-year-old, one of the stars of the 2007 World Cup, is Glamorgan's second overseas signing, joining fellow Aussie Mark Cosgrove.

Coach Matthew Maynard said: "He is one of the quickest bowlers in the world.

"Shaun is a world-class player and a household name. He chose Glamorgan over several offers he had received from other counties."

Tait, who returned to action earlier this year after taking a break with mental and physical exhaustion in 2008, has played 22 one-day internationals as well as three Tests for Australia.

The paceman said: "It will will be exciting to play alongside fellow Aussie team-mate Mark Cosgrove and to meet the squad."

Glamorgan reached Twenty20 finals day at Edgbaston in 2004 but lost in the semi-final to Leicestershire.

Yet apart from that highlight, Glamorgan have not enjoyed much success in the shortest form of the game.

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Former England assistant coach Maynard was looking for a quick bowler and Tait is regarded as one of the fastest in the world.

"Shaun completes the balance of our Twenty20 playing squad," said Maynard.

"The squad already contains several batsmen who are capable of inflicting heavy punishment upon opposition bowlers in short order."

The South Australia star, the 2003-04 Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year, has taken 23 wickets in 12 Twenty20 games at an average of 14.08 runs.

Former Glamorgan bowler Jason Gillespie, who spent a year with the county in 2008, says his 2005 Ashes team-mate is a good signing.

"I did mention to Matthew Maynard when I played there that he would be someone he should look at some time down the track," Gillespie told BBC Wales.

"He's an attacking wicket-taking bowler which is exactly what you need in Twenty20."

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