Australia's Shaun Tait is one of the world's fastest bowlers

Glamorgan wicket-keeper Mark Wallace says that the arrival of Shaun Tait this summer will boost the Welsh county on and off the pitch.

The Australian, one of the fastest bowlers in the world, will play for Glamorgan in the Twenty20 competition.

"I just think it's an awesome signing, not just for us as players but for Welsh cricket," Wallace said.

"Shaun Tait bowling at nigh-on 100 miles an hour is something that people [will] come down to... see."

Tait is currently playing for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League and will arrive at the Swalec Stadium in time for Glamorgan's Twenty20 campaign in June.

Wallace will be the man who keeps wicket to the Aussie quick, but says he is used to pouching balls from some of the best speedsters in cricket.

"I've kept to Simon Jones in the past, and [Andrew] Flintoff and [Steve] Harmison a few years ago," Wallace added.

"It'll be great to play with him [Tait] and I hope he bowls pretty straight as well!

"He is a high-class, world-class player which it's very hard to get now as far as overseas players go with international commitments.

"We've been lucky over the years, we've had Mike Kasprowicz, Jason Gillespie and now to have Shaun Tait - not just for what he'll give us on the field."

Wallace believes that Tait will also be able to pass on his experience to Glamorgan's crop of promising bowlers, especially James Harris.

The fast-medium, right-arm seamer, who turns 20 in May, attended Australian great Dennis Lillee's bowling academy in India this winter hoping to add a yard of pace.

Now Harris has the opportunity to glean some more gems from Tait to accelerate his cricketing education.

"We've got some up-and-coming young bowlers as well, someone like James Harris, the sort of things he'll learn off Shaun Tait could be invaluable for the future," Wallace said.

"James Harris is a really impressive young cricketer and Dave Harrison is a little bit older, maybe didn't have as good a season last year, but... seeing him this year he's a lot leaner, fitter and he's bowling well.

"They'll be the two to lead our attack because James has rightly got real ambitions to play for England and Dave's a far better bowler than maybe he showed us last year.

"If he gets back to top form they'll be a really potent opening partnership for us."

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