Shaun Tait will be looking to take out his Big Bash League frustration on two of his former South Australian teammates on Thursday night.

Having been overlooked for Adelaide’s first two BBL Twenty20 matches, the fiesty and fully-fit paceman has promised to let rip against the winless Sydney Thunder at ANZ Stadium.

And Tait is set to pay particular attention to his ex-Redbacks teammates and Thunder batsmen Mark Cosgrove and Cameron Borgas.

Left-handed opener Cosgrove signed for Tasmania in 2010 after being dumped by SA while skilful middle-order player Borgas was axed from the Redbacks squad in July.

West Indian Chris Gayle – who smashed 100 not out off 54 balls against the Strikers last December – will be the key wicket and Tait is keen to earn bragging rights over his good friends.

“I’ll have some choice words for Cozzy,” Tait said with a laugh at Adelaide on Wednesday.

“He’s a very good player.

“Borgy hits the ball at weird angles. I won’t bowl too many pitched up to him.

“I know their games well and they’re my mates.”

Tait will form a lethal partnership with 21-year-old speedster Kane Richardson, who hit 150km/h in their last-ball loss to the Brisbane Heat last Thursday night.

“Taity is chomping at the bit to play,” said Richardson.

“He is the kind of guy who can do the stuff we have seen (Lasith) Malinga do for the Melbourne Stars, take wickets.”

The Thunder, who are the only side not to have won a game this BBL season after losses to the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades, welcome back all-rounder Scott Coyte.

Coyte, who had one of the best bowling economies last season, missed the first two games with an elbow injury.

Usman Khawaja has been withdrawn from the Thunder squad after being placed on standby for the Australian Test team to play Sri Lanka on Boxing Day.

Teams:

Sydney Thunder: Chris Rogers (capt), Sean Abbott, Cameron Borgas, Ryan Carters, Mark Cosgrove, Scott Coyte, Luke Doran, Chris Gayle, Simon Keen, Azhar Mahmood, Dirk Nannes, Chris Tremain, Adam Zampa.

Adelaide Strikers: Johan Botha (capt), Cameron Boyce, Theo Doropoulos, Callum Ferguson, Matt Johnston, Michael Klinger, Tim Ludeman, Michael Neser, Kieron Pollard, Gary Putland, Nathan Reardon, Kane Richardson, Shaun Tait.