Shaun Tait not in favour of using two new balls

Australian tearaway pacer Shaun Tait on Thursday ridiculed the two new ball rule as it takes reverse swing out of the equation and hoped the ICC would reintroduce the old regulations.

"I think it is a ridiculous rule to be honest. It takes reverse swing out of the game. The bowlers usually have reverse swing skills. I am sure someone like Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowls great reverse swing but we don't get a chance to see it because there is two new balls," he told reporters at the launch of KOOH Sports Cricket Development Centre here.

"The ball doesn't have enough time to scuff up and also the ball stays harder throughout the match so it is easier to hit the ball out of the ground later on. Back when we had one ball, it was lot softer and became harder for batsmen to get more power off the bat. It would just be nice to see the old rule being brought back so that we get to see more reverse swing, especially in the sub-continent," he added.

He also voiced his opinions against the DRS and said he is not in favour of the technology.

"I don't support it really. Only from watching it on TV, it is frustrating. The game stops and even the DRS is wrong. The umpire gets it wrong and they go to a person who is pushing the button and they are getting it wrong as well. That is ridiculous," he said.

India and Australia are currently engaged in a seven-match limited over series and Tait said it has been a good contest so far.

"It has been good to watch so far. Some good games, lots of runs being scored obviously. The teams are playing like number 1 and 2, which is how it should be played," Tait said.

"India is number one team in the world. I would say watching them, India  have the best batting line up in the world, for sure. Australia have got tough three matches to go. They are currently leading the series (2-1) which is nice to see," the cricketer from Adelaide said.

With the bowlers going for a plenty of runs in the ongoing series, Tait said the need of the hour is to bowl yorkers in the slog overs.

"I suppose there is more challenge at the death. The last 10 overs, my thinking would be to bowl more yorkers.  On any wicket, whether it's a flat wicket or not, or however small the boundaries are, yorkers are yorkers. It is a very hard delivery to hit out of the ground," he said.

Tait disagreed with Ian Chappell's view that the ongoing series against India was ill-timed before the Ashes and said, "I don't see any problem with that. Any time you want to see India play against Australia is a good thing. It has become a good rivalry over the time. Everyone can't just focus all their energy on Ashes. There is lot of other cricket that happens around the world as well. I am sure the players have enjoyed this series."

On the upcoming Ashes series, he said, "It will be tough again. England are a great team. We have got the opportunity to play on home soil, which will make it a bit tougher for England."

Tait praised his Rajasthan Royals teammate Ajinkya Rahane and hoped that the young Indian batsman is featured in more international matches.

"I would like to see. I think everyone in the Rajasthan team would like to see Ajinkya in the Indian team more often. He is a great player. He is certainly good enough for international cricket. He is still young, he has got plenty of time," he said.

He was also effusive in his praise for compatriot James Faulkner and said he could be Australia's leading all-rounder for many years.

"James is a young guy still. He has got plenty of time. Looks like he is going to be Australia's number one all-rounder for a long time," he said.

Tait feels Shane Watson would be an ideal choice to lead Rajasthan Royals after Rahul Dravid's retirement from IPL this year.

"I am sure if he is appointed he would do well. He is a good leader and everyone in the Rajasthan team looks upto him. He is a good man for the team," Tait said.

Tait, who who suffered a hamstring injury during the CLT20, said he would try to get back to the field again.

"Unfortunately the training session before the first match I hurt my hamstring and that was it for me in the tournament. It was a good tournament to watch but unfortunately I couldn't participate."

The 30-year old, who has retired from ODI and Test cricket, said he is contemplating on making a comeback in the 50-over format, albeit in the domestic circuit.

"I am contemplating playing some one-day cricket in Australia again. I will just see how my body goes over in this six months. I would love playing as long as I can.