Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait has agreed to play for Essex in this year's Twenty20 tournament.

The seamer is recognised as a T20 specialist and he has a 20.73 average in the shortest form of the game.

"Shaun is an outstanding Twenty20 bowler who has genuine pace and match-winning ability," the Daily Mail quotes Essex head coach Paul Grayson as saying.

"We welcome him to the club for the Twenty20 campaign and are hopeful of success with him in the team."

Essex reached last year's quarter-finals.