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.
“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.
Stu
Guest
I certainly wouldn't consider him for the test side but if NZ had several injuries you would still be able to call up someone who has been a proven performer at international level all be it in the shorter forms of the game. FC average I admit is awful but has come down significantly. NZ depth in fast bowling stocks is better than it ever has been.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Yeah but this is long-form cricket we're talking about Stu and McClenaghan's first-class record is awful, averaging 37 with the ball at the age of 29yo. Henry and Wagner are solid Test options, no doubt, but I doubt McClenaghan will ever play Tests for NZ unless they have a hell of a lot of injuries to quicks all at once.
Stu
Guest
Anderson has the best 1 day bowling strike rate in world cricket. McClengahan was the 2nd fastest bowler to take 50 ODI wickets. Nesham is average I admit but at least hes not Scott Boland
Don Freo
Guest
Perhaps you have no idea. Bird has been injured and has taken quite some time to get back to form. When he did, he was selected. These selectors know this stuff. They just forgot to tell you personally, Tom.
Don Freo
Guest
Who is Daniel Sturridge?
Don Freo
Guest
Two those are Sheffield Shield standard, Stu.
Don Freo
Guest
Way off beam, fp11. Good pub theory, though.
Nudge
Guest
Bird------test average 23 economy 2.90 FC average 24 economy 3.00 Wagner test average 33 economy 3.45 FC average 27 economy 3.30 Henry---test average 50 economy 3.90 FC average 27 economy 3.20 And also my guess is that NZ wickets give a lot more to bowlers than Aussie roads and first class cricket is a higher level in shield
Steele
Guest
The selection process is so bloody confusing. Hopefully Bird rips it up, he's very underrated. Have a feeling Marsh might have a breakthrough performance. He's been batting well of late and his bowling is probably the most aggressive in this line up. Fingers crossed.
Tom
Guest
boland experiment over after bowling 0 balls, righto champ. pattos sore from what? im glad you mentioned that. What the f--- are the physios are the fitness people doing? they're another group of incompetent people leaching off the dying carcass of Australia international cricket who are never held accountable. Get rid of them all. Our players are out injuries more often then they are fit.How many hamstring injuries did we have in the space of a few months a while back, 4 or 5? Completely unacceptable.
AlanKc
Guest
NCN popped his shoulder, the Boland experiment is over, these 2 tests are on pitches that should be quite different to Australian pitches and Patto's sore. It's not really a mystery.
John
Guest
Bird not so good on the Ashes tour M Henry, N Wagner could come in for either of Southie or Boult
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
This is a very good point Mike, it is the longest tail Australia have fielded in a while - Bird is genuinely awful with the blade and Siddle is not a Test #8. Nevill's role with the bat just became so much more important.
fp11
Guest
My thoughts exactly. I'm also thinking WTF is going on? You summed it up nicely.
Annoyedofit
Guest
Australia would love to be facing Neesham, Anderson and McClenaghan in a test match
Tom
Guest
Another example of the selectors having no clue what they are doing., Bird is now suddenly in the first 11, when a few week ago couldn't make the squad against west indies where coulter-nile and boland were preferred - both of which didn't even play and were dropped. Where has Jackson Bird been the last god knows how many tests? He gets completely SHUNNED for ages after being a star performer and now suddenly after doing nothing different he's back in the first 11. THEY ARE ALL OVER THE SHOP. Does nobody in cricket hierarchy ask what is going on? Marsh and Waugh just pick players at complete random. What was the point of boland or coulter-nile? will they EVER play for our test quality players? I highly doubt it. And Pattinson our best bowler not "fit" enough to make the team? What?!
Chris Vincent
Roar Pro
They're only done with the 140 rule temporarily - because almost every bowler capable of that is retired or injured!
Cav
Guest
Like many others I think Birdy has been harshly dealt with and it is good to see him back in the Australian colours. Hope he goes OK I would like to see more of him in the test arena. Cav
Nudge
Guest
Mcclengahan, Neesham and Anderson. You taking the p!ss? If not, that's funny.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Welcome Doogs! Interestingly, Jackson Bird was a couple of years above me at school. Bloody good bowler then, hopefully can replicate that again now.