Shaun Tait May Exit Bangladesh Before Australia Tour

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-06-01

Shaun Tait might be leaving his role as the pace bowling coach for the Bangladesh national cricket team. The former Australian fast bowler recently interviewed for a coaching job with the Bengal cricket team in India. This news has cast doubt over Bangladesh's preparation for their big series against Australia, starting in June 2026. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) could now need to find a new coach much sooner than they planned. ### The Bengal Connection Tait met with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) to discuss a move to India. He originally applied for the head coach position with the state team. But the CAB decided to keep their current head coach, Laxmi Ratan Shukla. Still, they want Tait as a specialist pace bowling coach. Several cricket legends were part of Tait's interview process. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, along with Arun Lal and Devang Gandhi, all weighed in. If Tait takes the job, he'll work with senior players and help develop young fast bowlers in Bengal. Tait has strong personal reasons for wanting to be in India. His wife is Indian, and he spends a lot of time there already. A job in Bengal would let him be closer to home. It could also open doors for future roles in the Indian Premier League (IPL). ### Salary and Contract Details Tait earns a solid salary with Bangladesh—around $14,000 per month. That adds up to about $168,000 a year. The Bengal team faces a big challenge if they want to match that number. Tait joined Bangladesh in May 2025. His contract with the BCB runs until the 2027 ODI World Cup. But the recent interest from India suggests he might not finish his term. The BCB had hoped his aggressive bowling philosophy would bring long-term energy to the squad. ### Impact on Bangladesh's Pace Attack This news comes at a time when Bangladesh's pace attack is making real progress. Under Tait's guidance, several players have reached new heights in international cricket. Young pacer Nahid Rana recently praised Tait for giving him the confidence to bowl fast. Nahid Rana took a historic five-wicket haul against Pakistan in March 2026. He said Tait felt more like a friend than a strict coach. Tait gives his bowlers clear plans, and a lot of it is about sticking to what they do best. Tait's experience as a World Cup winner has also helped senior bowlers like Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam. ### The Australia Series Challenge Bangladesh has a packed schedule coming up. Australia will tour for a white-ball series first in June 2026. Then comes a historic Test series in Australia in August 2026. The matches in Australia will be at: - Marrara Stadium, Darwin: First Test (August 13–17, 2026) - Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay: Second Test (August 22–26, 2026) These overseas conditions will be a real test for Bangladesh's pacers. Experts say the team performs well at home, but they need to adjust their lengths for the extra bounce in Australia. Losing Tait right before these tours could mess up their preparation. > "Tait was more like a friend than a strict coach. He gave me the confidence to bowl at express pace." — Nahid Rana ### What Happens Next? For now, Tait is still contracted with the BCB through 2027. But the Bengal offer is tempting, both personally and professionally. The BCB may need to start looking for a replacement soon. If they lose Tait, it could set back the progress their pace attack has made. Bangladesh fans will be watching closely. The Australia series is a huge moment for the team. Having the right coach in place could make all the difference.