AUSTRALIAN fast bowler Shaun Tait says Essex Eagles are ready to go one better than 2013 and bring home the T20 Blast trophy this year.

The Australian has re-joined the county for the limited-overs format of the game this year after making an impression two years ago.

Tait only plays the T20 format of the game now, with his aggressive style of bowling taking its toll on his body.

And having failed to secure a team in this year’s Indian Premier League auction, the 32-year-old has returned to boost the Essex Eagles’ chances of winning this year’s competition having played with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League over the winter.

He took 16 wickets in his first spell with the club, taking 4-29 against Notts Outlaws in a superb quarter-final display, and the former Australian test bowler is hoping he can flourish once again this year.

“I played a few years ago and we got to the finals day which was a great day for the team,” he said. “For me, it is all about T20 now and, although it would be nice to find another club, I am happy to be going between here and Australia at the moment.

“My body tells me T20 is enough for now and that works for me. You know you can go really hard for four overs and you will be able to recover the next day.”

Tait is expected to line-up against Hampshire on Friday, before Essex turn out against Surrey the following day at the Essex County Ground.

And he says the busy schedule excites him, with a number of star names lining up in this year’s competition including the likes of Dwight Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara and Glenn Maxwell.

“It is going to be difficult to get to the finals day but that is where we all want to be,” he said. “Each team in the group poses a different challenge and the games at the ECG are really special, even though there are only 5,000 or so fans there. It is a great noise.”

Tait, who currently holds the record for the second-fastest ball ever bowled at 100mph back in 2010, said Essex have a team capable of winning the top prize, having lost to Northamptonshire Steelbacks on finals day two years ago.

Coach Paul Grayson has already backed Tait and fellow overseas player Jesse Ryder to have a big impact this season, beginning on Friday and he says he wants to repay that faith.

“It is nice to have that faith shown in you and I intend to repay it. We have a very good team here and we believe we can go far in this tournament. There is no reason we can’t better what happened in 2013 and win the trophy.”