SHAUN Tait will return to Essex County Cricket Club this summer for the NatWest T20 Blast.

The Australian paceman featured for the county in their 2013 campaign where he series of impressive performances helped Essex reach Finals Day.

Tait, 31, is pleased to be returning the Chelmsford and Essex head coach Paul Grayson is hoping the county will benefit from his influence again this year.

“Shaun had such a positive impact around the club during his first spell,” Grayson said.

“Not only on the pitch during the Twenty20 campaign, but he also spent time working with the younger players throughout the summer.

“We believe we have an excellent chance of winning the NatWest T20 Blast this season, and Shaun will help us towards that target.

“Alongside Jesse Ryder, we now have two really exciting overseas players.”

Grayson said the club intends to give its younger players a chance in the County Championship but were aiming to use their experienced players in the 20-over competition.

Tait, who currently only plays in the T20 format of the game, said: “I am happy to be signed up again with Essex for the 2015 NatWest T20 Blast.

“I’m looking forward to getting back to Chelmsford to see all the players and supporters again, and getting ready for the opening game on May 15 versus Hampshire.”

The highlight of the right arm fast bowler’s last spell with Essex was the T20 quarter-final away to Notts Outlaws, where his 4-29 helped the Eagles to a 47-run win.

Tait has a career T20 bowling average of 21.44 but during his 2013 spell with Essex he took 16 wickets and an average of 17.18.