LONDON, July 28: English county Durham have completed signing of emerging young Australian paceman Shaun Tait regarded as express bowler in Brett Lee mould for remainder of the season.

Tait, 21, is uncapped at both Test and one-day level, though he was called up to the squad for Australia's recent home and away series against Sri Lanka. Tait, who took 33 first-class wickets for South Australia last season, replaces Pakistan's fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

A Durham spokesman said: "We have been in talks with Shaun for a while now and we are excited to sign him." Durham had signed Zimbabwean all-rounder Andy Blignaut as a stop-gap replacement for Shoaib, whose contract was ended when he was called up for the Asia Cup tournament in Sri Lanka. -Agencies