Tait poses 'threat' to Gillespie

Tait is a huge Gillespie fan, from a mentoring point of view Wayne Phillips on pace duo (above)

Former Australia wicket-keeper Wayne Phillips reckons Jason Gillepsie's Ashes spot could be under threat from firebrand paceman Shaun Tait.

Gillespie's five wickets in the one-day leg of the tour have cost 63 runs each.

"I was interested to read what chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said about reputations not meaning much and those performing will be given a chance.

"If Tait does take his place it will be very sad but it's one of those things that can happen," Phillips said.

Tait, Justin Langer and Stuart MacGill leave Australia on Sunday to link up with their Aussie team-mates.

It was widely thought that Tait, 22, was given a squad berth with one eye on the future and that he would not feature in the Test series.

Tait is good from all reports but young and inexperienced From J Have your say on TMS

But the poor form of 30-year-old fellow South Australian Gillespie, and indeed Mike Kasprowicz, has made Tait's participation more likely.

"Shaun is in pretty good nick," said Phillips, who is entering his third term as coach of South Australia.

"He is an exciting fast bowler who comes into a well-run group which will give him plenty of support.

"He is also a huge Gillespie fan, from a mentoring point of view."

Tait excelled in last season's Pura Cup competition in Australia, taking 65 wickets to be the leading bowler in first-class cricket.

Phillips played 27 Tests and 48 one-day internationals in the mid-80s, scoring a century on his Test debut against Pakistan in Perth in 1983.