Express paceman Shaun Tait has NSW excitement machine David Warner squarely in his sights as he chases payback in today's Ford Ranger Cup clash at North Dalton Park.
Following yesterday's two-hour training session in Wollongong, Tait revealed his intentions of unleashing a barrage of 150km/h thunderbolts to claim Warner's scalp.
The South Australian right-arm slinger's declaration comes after Warner slapped 54 off 21 balls in a Twenty20 Big Bash battle at ANZ Stadium last week.
Warner smashed Tait out of the attack during his blistering innings, belting four sixes off one over.
With South Australia's hopes of qualifying for the one-day finals series hanging by a thread, the Redbacks were dealt a blow yesterday when hard-hitting batsman Mark Cosgrove was ruled out with a wrist injury.
But Tait remains confident of victory, provided he can make early inroads into the NSW top order - and gain revenge on Warner in the process.
"I owe Dave Warner a couple," Tait said.
"He's got a hold of me the last couple of games.
"He's the sort of player that when he's on, he's pretty hard to stop."
Warner's top order team-mate Phil Jaques is on high alert today, wary of the "destructive" power Tait possesses, as well as the motivation he will take into the match.
"I think (Warner's innings) will fire (Tait) up, he's very good, very fast and very destructive," Jaques said.
"If he gets it right it's trouble.
"Warner was impressive, the other night he really took him down.
"It's a special gift Warner's got, it's great to watch."
After playing in the 2005 Ashes series in England and in Australia's 2007 World Cup victory, Tait's injury-plagued career has since seen him step down from Sheffield Shield competition.
But the 26-year-old is relishing the prospect of being back on the international stage after the Redbacks qualified for the Champions League Twenty20 finals to be played in India in October, despite losing the final to Victoria on Saturday night.
"As much as it was disappointing to lose the final - we still have that on our minds - we're going to India in October," he said.
"It's probably the biggest thing that's happened since I've been playing for South Australia.
"It's a while away, but we're all looking forward to it."
While the loss continued the Redbacks' title drought - the state has not won a crown since the 1995-96 Sheffield Shield triumph - Tait said the Redbacks have had no time for navel gazing after the 51-run defeat at Adelaide Oval.
Tait claimed the team was desperate for victory today to keep their hopes of a one-day finals berth alive.
They're sitting last on the ladder on eight points, while NSW are locked in a three-way tie for third on 13 points.
"(The Twenty20 final loss) was pretty disappointing, but we had to get over it pretty quickly," he said.
"We were on the plane (to Sydney) and then on the bus down here straight away (on Sunday).
"If we lose we're pretty buggered. It's a must win for us for sure."
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