DURHAM new-boy Shaun Tait arrives at Riverside next month, armed with a glowing reference from one of the game's all-time greats.

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh rates Tait as the one of the quickest and meanest fast bowlers in state cricket - and it's not difficult to see why.

The 21-year-old has played only 14 first class matches for South Australia, but a career best spell of 8-43 against Tasmania during the winter earned him a call-up to the Australian squad for the tour of Sri Lanka in March.

With Glenn McGrath in the twilight of his career and Brett Lee troubled by injury, Tait is tipped to become the spearhead of the Australian bowling attack sooner rather than later.

He will arrive at the Riverside in mid-August for a month long stint of county cricket, as Durham's fifth overseas player this summer and a replacement for Shoaib Akhtar.

Tait's objectives are simple-for Durham win the two County Championship and two Totesport League matches in which he is involved and to capture a minimum of 20 wickets in the process.

"I have never been to England before, " Tait told The Northern Echo. "But I am really looking forward to it.

"As a bowler I bowl to take wickets. I might go for a few runs but as a strike bowler I am more suited to bowling in short spells.

"I don't complain about the pitches I play on because I rely more on my pace than bounce and movement off the pitch to get wickets."

And Tait added: "I have been timed at 150km/h in the past which is around the same as Brett Lee's pace but he is consistently faster than me."

Tait was voted as the Australian rookie player of the season during the winter for his performances for his state. In the four-day Pura Cup he took 30 wickets at 28.33. In the one-day ING Cup he captured 18 wickets at 19.62 with a strike rate of 24.

With form like that Riverside fans can expect a big impact and, for his part, Tait is determined not to disappoint.

"I don't know any of the Durham players but I have played against Marcus North in state cricket and I know about Steve Harmison, " he said.

"I just want to learn about playing in different conditions to those I am used to in Australia.

"I would love to return to Durham in the future.

"I am only 21-years-old and still developing as a fast bowler, but I would love to come back for another stint of county cricket, after the Ashes series next year."

Tait is included in the Australian squad for the ICC Champions Trophy in September, but is unlikely to play with Brett Lee the first choice replacement for an injured bowler.

But if the support he has from within the Australian camp is anything to go by, Tait will not have to wait long for his chance to impress on the biggest stage.

"Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist have both told me that I am getting closer to being picked for Australia, " Tait said.

Durham chief executive David Harker added: "We are delighted to welcome a player of Shaun's ability to Riverside. He is widely regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in Australia so it is a real coup for Durham to sign him."