12 Facts about Jackson Bird: The tall Tasmanian pacer

Australia made a host of changes after losing the first 2 Tests against South Africa in 2016. Jackson Bird was one of the beneficiaries of this massive overhaul by the selectors. Bird was recalled in the national setup. He remains to be largely unknown by the cricket world. But he has been on the fringes of Australian national team for quite some time now.

He has made sporadic appearances for the national side till now. But the promising young talent is a player to watch out for. He has been a giant in the domestic circuit and in the Big Bash League. The longer format awaits him now. The 6’5″ tall bowler can generate some serious pace with good movement of the surface. Here are some facts about the tall Tasmanian pacer Jackson Bird:

1. Roots and beginnings

Jackson Bird was born in Sydney on December 11, 1986. He started playing club cricket in New South Wales. He did his schooling from the Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview and Saint Pius X College, Chatswood.

2. A business professional

Bird is a graduate in Bachelor of Business and has his specialisation in marketing.

3. Keenly followed by his father

Bird’s father works in the film industry in Romania. However, he never ceases to miss any of the action of cricket when his son in playing.

4. An early start but poor show

Jackson Bird made an early start to his career. He was named in the Australia U19 squad in 2005-06 season. He played 7 matches, including 5 against the India U19s, but could manage to get only 6 wickets.

5. Switching to Tasmania

Jackson Bird made a switch from Manly-Warringah club in Sydney’s grade competition to Tasmania in a bid to get better opportunities in cricket.

6. Remarkable debut season

Bird shot to fame with a brilliant debut season in 2011-12 playing for the Tasmanian Tigers. He scalped 53 Sheffield Shield wickets at an average of 16 and was the leading wicket taker. His efforts saw Tasmania reach the finals.

7. Hat-trick in maiden season

Jackson Bird took a hat-trick against Western Australia at the Bellerive Oval in his debut season. He ended up with match figures of 11/95 that helped his side Tasmania to claim a spot in the Sheffield Shield final.

8. A record to his name

After having played 10 Sheffield Shield matches, Bird had scalped 62 wickets. These came at an average of 17.30 and a strike rate of 36.1 – which was the best in the Australia’s domestic competition’s 120-year history at that point.

9. Playing the Boxing Day Test

Good performances in the domestic circuit saw him rise up the ranks and make it to the national side. He was picked in the team for the Boxing Day Test against the touring Sri Lanka in 2012. He became the 431st player to play for Australia. Dimuth Karunaratne was his first Test scalp.

10. Impressing in the following match

His efforts in the second Test of the series at Sydney saw him bag 7 wickets across both innings. He was awarded the Man of the Match for his efforts.

11. Back with a bang

After being out of the team for almost 3 years, he regained the Test call in Australia’s tour to New Zealand in 2016. He bagged 5/59 in the Christchurch Test to announce his comeback.

12. A domestic trotter

Jackson Bird has switched among the teams in the domestic circuit. He has played county cricket too. The teams that he has represented in his career thus far are: Australia, Australia A, Australia Under-19s, Hampshire, Melbourne Stars, New South Wales Under-23s, Sydney Sixers, Tasmania.