Photo Credit: Sydney Sixers
Big Bash veteran Jackson Bird is set to mark an eighth season in magenta, putting pen to paper with the Sydney Sixers ahead of KFC BBL|13.
One of the league’s most experienced campaigners, Bird will join forces with his newly appointed state coach, and long-serving Sixers head coach, Greg Shipperd in the hunt for the club’s fourth BBL trophy.
A two-time BBL champion, claiming titles with the Sixers in BBL|09 and BBL|10, the paceman has 78 Big Bash appearances to his name – 45 with the Sixers, 33 with the Melbourne Stars – with 69 scalps.
Beginning his career with the Stars in the competition’s inaugural season, Bird defected to the Sixers ahead of BBL|05, spending three summers in his home state. After a secondment back to the Stars for BBL|08, Bird returned to the coop the following year, where he has remained for the last four summers.
One of the Sheffield Shield’s all-time leading wicket-takers with 350 Shield wickets, the 36-year-old recently announced his return to his home state, signing on with NSW after more than decade in Tasmania.
Welcoming his third child, Alexander, with wife Scarlett last month, joining brothers Max and George, the now family of five will call NSW home full-time.
Tickets to this summer’s Weber WBBL & KFC BBL go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 21.
Speaking about the opportunity to play all of his cricket in his state of birth, the veteran was thrilled by the prospect.
“It’s the first year I’ve been involved with both the Sixers and NSW so it’s nice to get another year. It will be nice to spend some time in the Christmas period at home, which I haven’t done in the Big Bash yet.
“I’m feeling great about being signed for another year with the Sixers. I’ve been with the club for a long time now and it’s obviously a great environment to be involved in.
“It wasn’t a hard decision. We fell short last year after a couple of successful campaigns and played probably our worst game of the year in the semi-finals. We know we have the squad to push through and hopefully win another trophy and that’s something I’m really excited about to be a part of.”
Sydney Sixers 2023/24 memberships on sale now!
One of the Sixers’ most senior players, Bird acknowledged his changing role and the opportunity to develop his side’s younger cohort.
“My role is sort of coming in and out of the team when required and playing conditions that suit my style of bowling, but I’m trying to be ready for every game when I’m required and also help out around the group of the young guys.
“That’s something I’ve enjoyed over the last couple years; being a senior player and helping out the young guys when I can.
“This stage in my career winning I suppose is important and winning another trophy would be something pretty special.”
The Sixers will kick off their KFC BBL|13 season against the Melbourne Renegades on Friday, December 8 at the SCG. Tickets for the WBBL|09 and BBL|13 seasons will go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 21.
Sydney Sixers BBL Squad
Head Coach: Greg Shipperd
Contracted for BBL|13: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Todd Murphy, Steve O’Keefe, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe, Jordan Silk.
