Bird puts batting blue behind him

Fast bowler Jackson Bird has put his controversial initial-Test snubbing behind him as he focuses on returning to Australia’s XI in two days’ time.

Bird was told by former chairman of selectors Rod Marsh that his inferior batting ability cost him a spot in Australia’s 12-man squad for the first two Commonwealth Bank Tests against the Proteas, with South Australian Joe Mennie getting the nod over the Tasmanian.

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The 29-year-old was left scratching his head when he heard the news, but has since produced scores of 6no, a career-best 39, and 22 batting for the Tigers in the Sheffield Shield – along with bowling impressively – and now finds himself back in Australian colours for the third Test starting on Thursday in Adelaide.

“I was a little bit confused at first but I think that was just a breakdown in communication, really.” Bird said in Tuesday.

“The only thing you can do is cop that sort of stuff on the chin and I guess I knew what I had to work on.

“I think I responded pretty well in the Shield game here in Adelaide (where he scored that 39) and it was nice to spend some time out in the middle.

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“I haven’t really done that in the last three years. I think I’m not a bad batsman but I think I have been out of form for about 18 months.”

It’s been a strange couple of weeks for Bird.

The right-armer was tipped to take on South Africa in Perth, having played as Australia’s third specialist seamer in New Zealand in February, where he claimed best-bowling figures of 5-59, before carrying the drinks during the entirety of the dire Test tour of Sri Lanka.

Following his omission from the Test squad, Bird went back to Shield cricket, claimed 2-68 from 26 overs (and scored 39) as the Tigers were smashed by an innings and 94 runs at the hands of South Australia.

He was then called in as cover for the second Test at his home ground in Hobart, watching on as Mennie made his Test debut and the Australians get rolled for 85 on the first day and ultimately lose the Test and the series inside three days of play.

Bird, along with Australia’s Test batsmen, returned to domestic cricket to effectively audition for the third Test and took match figures of 5-129 and earn national selection.

“I guess I was a little bit disappointed but there was a bit of cricket on around that time so I just got to focus on playing for Tasmania,” Bird said.

“Obviously I got called in to the last Test as cover.

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“Cricket, that’s how it is these days.

“I suppose you can’t be down in the dumps for too long if you don’t get picked.

“There’s always going to be an opportunity around the corner and I’m lucky enough to have got that opportunity now and hopefully on Thursday I’ll get another opportunity to play Test cricket.”

Standing in Bird’s way of a sixth Test in the Baggy Green is local lad Chadd Sayers.

Despite the Adelaide Oval wicket featuring a thick cover of grass, it’s unlikely Australia will play four fast bowlers in the second day-night Test on these shores, meaning one of Bird or Sayers will miss out.

Sayers claimed 11-74 against Tasmania when they met earlier this month, and it could be the uncapped paceman’s home ground record that might give him the nod over Bird.

“Chadd’s been the best performer in Shield cricket for the last couple of years,” Bird said.

“We played him here a few weeks ago and he hit the same spot every time and got 11 wickets for the match.

“He bowls an immaculate line and length, and he’s got a great record here in Adelaide.”

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