Tait replaces Hastings in Knight Riders squad

Kolkata Knight Riders have roped in Shaun Tait as a replacement for his fellow Australian fast bowler John Hastings. Tait joined Knight Riders on Wednesday and was present at the team's training session three days before their next match, on Saturday, against Rising Pune Supergiants.

Tait, who had listed his base price at INR 1.5 crore, went unsold in the player auction in February.

Hastings, who played two matches for Knight Riders this season, was ruled out of the IPL after he suffered an ankle injury in his left foot. Upon returning to Australia, Hastings underwent surgery to remove bone spurs in the ankle and was consequently replaced by Scott Boland for the ODI triangular in the West Indies in June.

This will be Tait's second stint in the IPL, having earlier played for Rajasthan Royals. Tait last played for Australia in January, in the T20I series against India. He subsequently played for Peshawar Zalmi in the inaugural Pakistan Super League. Tait was also recently signed as an overseas player by Glamorgan for the second half of their NatWest T20 Blast campaign.

Though he was present at Knight Riders' training session, Tait did not bowl at all, considering he had only landed a few hours before. Knight Riders have consistently fielded a fast bowling line-up comprising Andre Russell, Morne Morkel and Umesh Yadav, with the West Indies allrounder Jason Holder featuring in one match.