Shaun Tait has called time on his stint as Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach, ending a 12-month stay that, by most measures, helped the national seamers stand a little taller. The former Australia quick informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) late on Wednesday and will leave the role immediately.
Explaining the decision, Tait stressed family priorities rather than professional frustration. “My 12 months with the BCB and the Bangladesh national team was fulfilling,” Tait told ESPNcricinfo. “I want to thank the BCB. I really enjoyed working with the players. I have a great relationship with the fast bowling group. They were good to work with and I created some really good relationships in Bangladesh, around the cricketing community in general.”
A second, longer reflection followed. “I don’t think that’ll be the closed door on my time in the country. There’s obviously BPL and what not. You never know what the future holds. But for the time being, my young family need a bit more of my time. So, the full-time role of year-round red and white-ball cricket, my 12 months was enough and it’s time to just step back and give my family a little bit more time.”
Tait arrived last May on a deal expected to run to November 2027, replacing former New Zealand all-rounder Andre Adams. Almost straight away he pushed for a bolder use of pace, arguing that Bangladesh’s quicks were no longer the “support act” to the spinners. The results were encouraging: a 2–0 home Test win over Pakistan this spring featured decisive spells from Ebadot Hossain and Shoriful Islam, while the white-ball group began out-bowling established batting line-ups on slower pitches.
Those gains were part fitness, part confidence. Tait’s insistence on shorter, sharper spells in training – common in Australia but still novel in Mirpur – appears to have helped bowlers hit higher top speeds later into matches. Local analyst Nazmul Abedin, who tracked the changes, notes the group’s “quicker repeatability” and credits the Australian for keeping jargon to a minimum.
The BCB now need a quick replacement with Australia’s ODI side due in Dhaka on 9 June. Former Test pacer Talha Jubair, currently coaching at domestic level, is the leading candidate for an interim post covering that three-match series. A longer-term appointment may wait until after the Asia Cup, giving board officials time to review both overseas and homegrown options.
Tait, 43, has previously worked with Pakistan’s national side and in franchise leagues such as the BPL with Chittagong Kings. A return in some short-form capacity feels plausible, though, for now, Adelaide – rather than Dhaka – is set to see more of him.
