Australian fast bowler Jackson Bird didn’t expect to even be fit for the Ashes but says he’s now on top of his game and ready to rumble if selected for the must-win third Test at Old Trafford.
Bird put his hand up for the spot vacated by the injured James Pattinson by out-bowling Mitchell Starc on day two of Australia’s match against Sussex at Hove.
The county cricketers trail by 138 runs in the rain-affected three-day affair.
They were 5-228 at stumps, in reply to Australia’s first innings 5-366 declared.
Bird was man-of-the-match in his last Test against Sri Lanka at the SCG in January.
The 26-year-old was sent home from the India tour with stress fractures and was overlooked for the first two Ashes Tests, despite also leading the bowlers in the warm-up against Worcestershire.
While Starc was wayward at times on Saturday, Bird attacked the stumps and asked constant questions of the Sussex batsmen.
It showed he’s learnt plenty from being in the UK last year with Australia A, when he was impatient and tried too hard to swing the ball and paid the price.
Bird took 2-33 from 14 overs and could have also have had the wicket of England hopeful James Taylor (64 not out), if not for a dropped catch by century-maker Steve Smith at second slip.
Having a left-armer in the arsenal with the strike power of Starc is seen as a potential advantage for Australia at Old Trafford, but Bird’s nagging line and length could earn a call-up.
If selected, Bird believes he can deliver with a good economy rate and ability to stand the seam up and find swing.
“To be honest I didn’t think I was going to be fit enough in time for the tour. I feel like I’ve been bowling pretty well the last couple of weeks. I feel like I’m pretty close to being at 100 per cent,” Bird said.
“There’s always the motivation if you’re outside the squad to make the final XI, but … it’s not something I think about all the time.”
Bird destroyed the stumps of opener Luke Wells before his consistent ability to shape the ball away from the right hander finally paid off when he caught the edge of Chris Nash.
Starc was tidy, finishing with 1-28, but for a new-ball bowler he didn’t make the Sussex batsmen play enough shots – often sending balls down the leg-side or over the head.
The 23-year-old took a while to get going in the first Test at Trent Bridge and was dropped for Lord’s.
Starc doesn’t seem to have quite found his rhythm and backing him for the do-or-die Old Trafford showdown could be a risk.
However, selectors need to weigh up that when he does get it right, he’s destructive.
Nathan Lyon struggled in his first spell, but improved in his second to finish with 0-65 from 18 overs.
The offspinner is trying to force his way back into the team for Manchester, at the expense of Ashton Agar, who dismissed danger man Rory Hamilton-Brown (73 from 51), but ultimately went for six an over.
