Tait thanks Caribbean carnival for launching his career

Sydney, May 5 (UNI) Australian second highest wicket-taker in the Caribbean World Cup, paceman Shaun Tait said the mega event has catapulted him in international cricket and thus proved to be a launch pad in his career.

The right-arm fast bowler, who took 23 wickets in the recently concluded Caribbean carnival, has become an important part of the Australian squad especially after the departure of paceman Glenn Mcgrath.

''There has been all kinds of turning points in my career, but this has been the big one.

''I was worried about spraying the ball around everywhere and I was a bit nervous about the captain or players or selectors thinking, 'Oh dear, here we go,'' Tait told Herald Sun.

The 24-year-old Aussie who struggled with his line and length initially revealed it was a discussion with captain Ricky Ponting and selector Merv Hughes that turned around his fortunes.

''I had a one-on-one chat with Ricky and Merv Hughes and they said that's exactly what they expect me to do: run in and bowl fast, scare batsmen and just be free,'' Tait said, adding, ''It gave me a huge amount of confidence just to run in and not worry about wides, because every game I'm going to bowl wides, no matter what.'' UNI