Ponting to unleash Tait against India

Sydney, Dec 14 (UNI) Despite questions being raised about his bowling action, pacer Shaun Tait has impressed Aussie captain Ricky Ponting who took the extraordinary step of endorsing the speedster's selection for the much hyped Test series against India later this month.

Urging the selectors to consider Tait for the series against India, Ponting said, ''He's a wicket-taking bowler. Whatever form of the game he plays, he's good enough to knock any batsman over at any time.'' ''It doesn't just apply to one-day cricket. If his fitness is good and he can back up and bowl a number of spells during the course of the day he could easily slot into our Test team as well,'' Ponting was quoted as saying by the local media.

''He might be one of those guys that when he is fit and firing like he is we have to play him because it probably doesn't last forever,'' said Ponting before today's Chappell-Hadlee opener against New Zealand.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori and coach John Bracewell had earlier raised question in Tait's action during yesterday's pre-match press conference.

Although, former Sri Lankan Test batsman Mahanama, who is the match refree in the ongoing one day series between Australia and New Zealand, said no complaints had been received about Tait's action in Perth but said it (his action) would be monitored in the upcoming matches.

UNI