Melbourne, Feb.7 (ANI): Former Australian Test quick Rodney Hogg has hailed South Australian Shaun Tait as the new-age Jeff Thomson and says he will pilot Australia to Twenty20 World Cup supremacy with his terrifying pace.

“He’s the Jeff Thomson of the Twenty20 era, he’s Australian cricket’s new Thommo. It’s disappointing that we may not see Shaun Tait again in Test cricket, but he’s still very valuable for Australian cricket,” The Daily Telegraph quoted Hogg, as saying.

“He played a key role in us winning the 2007 World Cup and if he keeps bowling like this, I believe Shaun Tait will win us the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup,” Hogg added.

Tait had ignited the MCG crowd on Friday night when he sent down a 160.7km/h thunderbolt at Pakistan opener Imran Farhat - the fastest ball recorded on Australian soil.

The delivery is believed to be the third quickest of all time, behind Shoaib Akhtar (161.3km/h) and Brett Lee (160.8km/h).

Hogg said the 26-year-old possessed the fear factor Thomson possessed during his 51-Test career between 1972-1985.

Tait spearheaded Australia’s 2007 World Cup victory, taking 23 wickets at 20.30, and Hogg believes his tearaway style can lead Michael Clarke’s side to the Twenty20 title in May.

After producing his third-ball firecracker, Tait finished his 24-ball spell with 3-13 to reinforce his status as one of world cricket’s most potent weapons in the Twenty20 format.

Tait was dubbed Australia’s most promising young quick when he made his Test debut in England in 2005. But he has played just three Tests, his last against India two years ago, which preceded his shock decision to temporarily walk away from cricket due to physical and mental exhaustion. (ANI)