Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
The NSW Blues have bolstered their fast-bowling stocks ahead of the 2023-24 season with the addition of one of the Sheffield Shield’s greatest ever wicket-takers, Jackson Bird, for the next two years.
Born and raised in Sydney, the Manly Warringah product joined Tasmania in 2011, making 78 appearances for his former state.
Bird has 350 Shield wickets to his name, averaging 21.99, and sits tenth on the list of all-time wicket-takers for the competition.
With 114 total first-class appearances across Tasmania, Nottinghamshire, Hampshire, and Kent, the 36-year-old provides a wealth of knowledge and experience to NSW, who will be without stalwart Trent Copeland next summer, following his retirement.
Making his Sheffield Shield debut in 2011/12, the summer proved a breakout one for the then 26-year-old Bird.
The season’s leading wicket-taker (collecting 53 wickets at 16.00), Bird was named Shield Player of the Year, playing a pivotal role in guiding Tasmania to their second ever Sheffield Shield title.
His domestic form saw him earn an Australia A call up for the 2012 Tour of England before being selected in the national side ahead of the 2012 Boxing Day Test, presented Baggy Green #431.
The 2018/19 summer was another standout for the quick, picking up 50 Shield wickets (the second-most for the season), including career-best figures of 7/18, and earning selection in the Sheffield Shield Team of the Season.
The now dad of two – with sons Max (3) and George (10 months) – Bird is no stranger to the NSW set-up, having pulled on the magenta for the Sydney Sixers for seven summers, including back-to-back title winning seasons in BBL|09 and BBL|10.
Bird said he was delighted to return home to Sydney and finally have the chance to wear the ‘Baggy Blue’.
“At this stage of my career Cricket NSW has offered me an awesome opportunity to be able to come home to Sydney and the Northern Beaches with my family,” Bird said.
“I played all my junior cricket in NSW and like any other aspiring professional in the state I wanted to pull on a Baggy Blue.
“My career took a different path and I am very grateful to Cricket Tasmania and everyone that I have played with and worked with down there for what has been an amazing experience, both professionally and personally.
“Now it’s a fresh start in a place I am familiar with, and I am looking forward to being able to contribute on the field and also around the playing group. The Blues have some very talented young bowlers and I hope I can offer them some guidance if they need it.”
CNSW Chief of Cricket Performance Greg Mail said Bird was a proven performer who brought an astute cricket brain to his game.
“Jackson’s on-field record speaks for itself. He has played Test cricket for Australia and has the most Shield wickets of anyone still playing the game,” Mail said.
“He is also a student of the game and has captained teams in First-Class matches.
“We are delighted to be able to bring him home and look forward to his contribution to Cricket in NSW.”
