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Jackson Bird recalled to Australian XI for first Test against New Zealand

11th February, 2016
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Jackson Bird deserves to be selected for the Ashes. (AFP/William West)
11th February, 2016
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Australia have recalled Tasmania swing bowler Jackson Bird for the first Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

The recall has been a long time coming for Bird, who despite starring in the Sheffield Shield with the ball in recent times, hasn’t played for Australia since the 2013 Ashes.

He is considered to be a swing specialist by selectors, particularly since Darren Lehmann came in as coach and introduced the much debated 140km p/h principle to the Australian Test team.

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But with pace stocks thin on the ground after injuries to Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson, Bird has got his long-awaited call-up ahead of fellow swingman Chadd Sayers.

Skipper Steve Smith revealed his XI on Thursday, with Bird, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle forming the pace attack with James Pattinson not considered for the Test starting on Friday due to fitness concerns.

Smith was confident Bird could do the job for Australia, with the paceman having taken 25 wickets this Sheffield Shield season at an average of just under 25.

“The selectors aren’t 100 percent sure whether (Pattinson) would get through this first Test match,” Smith said.

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“I think Jackson Bird has been bowling extremely well. I saw him for the first time in the nets yesterday and I thought he bowled extremely well “I’m really happy with the XI we’ve picked and hopefully we can have a successful week.”

The game will be New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum’s penultimate game in the whites after he announced his retirement earlier this year.

Australian team to play New Zealand in the first Test:
Joe Burns, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Mitch Marsh, Peter Nevill, Peter Siddle, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird.

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